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1839] Essay on Tehtgu Literature. 59 
 
 now living; as for instance my friends the pandits in the Court of Sudr 
 Ujdalut. They are Telngu Bramins and during more than fifteen years 
 have given me much literary assistance. Well aware that my statements 
 will incur the reproaches of many a half educated Sastri and self-styled 
 pandit, I am happy in mentioning men of such well known talents ([ 
 might easily adduce many others also) as disapproving these follies. 
 
 61. Again : — It is acknowledged that the regulations and acts of Go- 
 vernment are very ably translated into Telugu — yet they are wholly free 
 from all these elegancies of style (bandi-repha, ardha-bindu, sandi, and 
 saral-adesam) which poor pretenders to learning timidly cultivate. If 
 such pedants are right, then the laws of the Government are written in 
 bad Telugu; because, according to their notions, nothing can be correct 
 which is easy to read. 
 
 62. When it is considered that the reader's progress is greatly imped- 
 ed by the refinements I have described I shall appear justified in giving 
 so much space to remarks which cannot be generally interesting. 
 
 On re-perusing the present essay I observe with much regret how 
 little advantage we can derive from the historians (so to call them) and 
 popular grammarians. With a few rare exceptions in the former class, 
 these are all unavailable to the Englishman. But if he wishes to read 
 the language in its perfection, to know it as the natives know it, he must. 
 resort to the Musarum chorus, the " Cavyamul" or favourite bards: of 
 whose popular works I propose to give a summary in the next essay. 
 
 In that paper some selections will be given from poets already named: 
 but in the present pages I have endeavoured to compress all that preli- 
 minary information which the reader will most frequently require : what 
 remains, may be of slighter moment. 
 
 SUBJECTS MENTIONED IN THE PRESENT ESSAY. 
 
 Adharvana, section 38, Adhyatma 22, Aliobala 38, 43, Andhra Dipica, 33, 47, 
 ■18, AppaCavi, 39— 42 Arddh anuswar, 52. Bala Saraswati, 35, Barbarisms, 41, 
 Basava 30,Bhagavat 23, Bhascara Ramayan, 20, Bhimana, 37, Bubili, 12, Canya- 
 ca, 30, Conceits, 21, Course for a beginner 13, 50, Desya, 4', Dialects, 10, 12, 
 Dwipatla Ramayan, 19, Education 15, 16, Elision 58 eras of literature, 14, Ga- 
 jcndra25, Gentoo,33, Gita, 24, Gramya, 41, Hindustani 2, 12, Jaimini Bharat, 30, 
 Jangama, 7, !8, 30, Kasi Khand, 28, Krishn Arjuna Samvad, 24, Mahabharat 23, 
 24, Mamadi Vencaya 47— 48, Musulmans, 8, 9, Nannaya Bhatt, 33, Nasal, 52 
 Niroshtha21, Padma Puran, 27, Pancha Dabu, 30, Parvam 23, Pattabbi Ra- 
 maya, 56, Poetical Dialect, 10, Prabhulinga Leela.. 11, Prose 23, Prosody 37,46, 
 Puranas, 18, 27, 29, 30. R; (Obsolete form of this letter,) 50, Ramabyudaya, 22, 
 Ramayan, 19, 20, 21, 22, Regulations, 61, Rucmini, 25, Sabdartba Calpa Tarn, 
 55, Saivas, 7, Sanscrit, 4, 5, 15, 55, Sanscrit dialect, 20, Scanda, 28, sects 7 
 Siv'andhra, 17, 31,45, Smaitas, 7, Sri' Natha, 28, Tadbhava, 41, Tatsama, 41, 
 Ticcana Somayaji, 23, Trailinga and Trilinga, 40, Utprexa, 22, Uttara Ramayan, 
 22, Vaicriti, 38, Vishnu Puran, 27. 
 
60 Catalogue of the Birds [July 
 
 III —Catalogue of the Birds of the Peninsula of India, arranged ac- 
 cording to the modern system of Classification ; with brief Notes on 
 their Habits and Geographical distribution, and description of new, 
 doubtful and imperfectly described Species. — By T. C. Jerdon, Assis- 
 tant Surgeon, 2d Madras Light Cavalry. 
 
 Until a very few years ago we did not possess a single collective ac- 
 count of the birds of this vast country. In 1831 a Catalogue of birds 
 collected on the banks of the Ganges and the Vindhian range of moun- 
 tains by Major Franklin, was published in that useful compendium the 
 Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. This comprised 156 
 species, of which more than 20 were described for the first time, many 
 of them very common birds, as Oius Bengalensis, Thimalia Chalaraa, 
 Alauda Gulgula, Mirafra pheenienra, fyc. fyc. Notwithstanding the dif- 
 ference of latitude in which these were collected, there are only 6 or 7 
 which I have not met with in Southern India, which shews the very 
 great similarity of the ornithology of this country throughout. In 
 1832 a catalogue of birds collected by Colonel Sykes in the Bombay 
 presidency was published, in the same work as the last. In this are 
 enumerated 22G species (I omit the domestic birds included), of which 
 above 40 are described for the first time, many of them common and 
 abundant birds. This catalogue is undoubtedly the most valuable ac- 
 count of the birds of India published, and contains, in addition to the 
 bare catalogue and descriptions, many highly interesting observations 
 on the habits, food and structure of many of the species there mentioned. 
 Of those enumerated by Colonel Sykes there are about 9 or 10 which 
 I have not yet observed, most of which are probably peculiar to the 
 more northern portion of the range of ghauts and neighbouring table- 
 land. During the short period I have been in this country I liave 
 traversed a considerable portion of the Madras presidency, both on the 
 eastern and western sides of the Peninsula, and have been fortunate 
 enough to add a considerable number of species to the Indian Fauna, a 
 few of which are apparently new to science or but imperfectly known. 
 The total number of my catalogue is nearly 390; which, however in- 
 cludes those 10 of Sykes, not hitherto obtained by me, and nearly as 
 many more observed by Walter Elliot, Esq.,* Madras Civil Service, who 
 has kindly placed his valuable notes on the birds procured by him at 
 mv disposal ; by which, in addition to the new species added, I have 
 been enabled to elucidate several doubtful points, to add some most 
 
 * Mr. Elliot saw this catalogue previous to its submission to press : and some re- 
 marks of his will be found as foot-notes, bearing his initials, throughout the paper.— 
 Editok. 
 
T4i"c- 
 
 
 A 
 
 4 
 
1339] of the Peninsula of India. 61 
 
 interesting information on various birds, and to give the correct na- 
 tive names of most of the species enumerated by liim. 
 
 I must here say a few words in explanation of the limits of the dis- 
 tricts alluded to in the following catalogue as the " habitat" of the dif- 
 ferent birds. With reference then to physical features and the geo- 
 graphical distribution of the birds, I divide the Peninsula into four 
 great districts or divisions — 1st, The Northern drears — 2d, The Carna- 
 tic — 3d, The Western Coast— 4th, The great central table-land. 
 
 1st. The Northern Circars. — This district comprises a narrow tract of 
 land extending (between 16^ and 20° N.lat.) from the sea coast on 
 the eastern side of the Peninsula to the eastern ghauts by which it is 
 separated from the great table-land. It is a tolerably level district, 
 with occasional spurs from the ghauts approaching the sea coast ; 
 has little or no natural wood, except towards the ghauts, the sides of 
 which are in some places clad with thick jungle of bamboos and forest 
 trees, and, with the exception uf large groves of palm trees, has but 
 little wood throughout it. This district is perhaps hardly separable 
 from the Carnatic by its physical features alone, but the difference 
 of latitude, causing a change in climate and a greater variation of tem- 
 perature, perhaps authorize its separation, which is partly confirmed by 
 the fact of one or two birds common in the one, being rare or not met 
 with in the other district. 
 
 2d. Carnatic— Under this head is included the whole of the coun- 
 try lying south of the Northern Circars, along the coast as far as Cape 
 Comorin, and bounded on the west by the range of eastern ghauts, 
 except in the Coirabatoor district, where the eastern as well as wes- 
 tern range of ghauts is broken. It has but little natural wood, ex- 
 cept partially on the sides of the ghauts and occasionally at their bot- 
 tom; is a level and low lying country, with occasional isolated rocky 
 hills, and low ranges, sometimes bare, in other places clad with low 
 brushwood. In the immediate neighbourhood of the large towns and 
 villages there are large topes, and many of the roads are lined with 
 magnificent avenues of banian and other large trees. 
 
 3d. Western Coast. — This includes Travancore, Cochin, and Mala- 
 bar, and comprises a strip of land of various width lying between the 
 sea on the western side of India, and the range of western ghauts which 
 it includes. It is mostly undulating or hilly, and, unlike the other 
 three districts, is almost every where covered with jungle of every de- 
 scription, from low bushes to the most lofty forest trees: most of the 
 roads here too are lined with splendid avenues of banian, cashew and 
 various other fine trees. The climate is moist and comparatively cool. 
 
62 Catalogue of the Birds [July 
 
 The Wynaad district, and generally the wooded parts bordering the 
 summit of the ghauts, may be also included in this, which they resem- 
 ble in climate and productions, though more correctly they belong to 
 the next division. 
 
 4th. The Great Central Table Land.— This includes Mysore, the 
 Baramahl, the Ceded Districts (Bellary and Cuddapah), the kingdoms 
 of Berar and Hyderabad, the Southern Mahratta country, and the Deccan 
 (the four so called Bombay Collectorates, Colonel Sykes's district). 
 The whole of these countries,with the exception of the parts immediately 
 bordering on the ghauts, consists of a vast undulating plain of various 
 height, almost entirely devoid of trees, except close to villages and 
 towns, and with but little low jungle even. Here and there low 
 ranges of hills appear, and isolated rocks, or droogs, mostly bare, 
 others covered with low brushwood. Towards the north and west 
 large steps occur, and the country is more broken by hills and 
 ravines than in the southern part. Here too we have greater 
 abundance of low jungle, and even stunted trees, and in many of the 
 ravines wood abounds. Considerable tracts of long grass, or ' rumnahs' 
 occur here and there, especially towards the more northern portion. 
 The whole of this district was formerly named the Deccan, and accord- 
 ingly in the following catalogue I shall indiscriminately mention it as 
 the Deccan or table-land, except when a bird is peculiar to, or more 
 abundant in, one portion of it than another. The Neilgherries are justly 
 entitled perhaps to a separate mention, as well from their climate as 
 their productions, and probably approaching them in these respects ar« 
 the Pulny and Animally hills, both to the southward. 
 
 The classification I have adopted is that of Swainson (as recently given 
 in his most admirable treatise on birds*, which I have ever found most na- 
 tural as regards the habits of the Indian birds he has classed together, 
 especially the BrachijpodlncB and Craleropodinas. Among other instan- 
 ces, where, by his acumen and discrimination, he has rightly located, 
 from their external character alone, birds before his time most im- 
 properly and unnaturally placed, I may instance Thamrtobia (an 
 Ixos of former authors!) and Gryllivora among the Stone-chats ; 
 Jlypsepetcs among the Bulbuls ; Pomatorlnnus among the Babblers; 
 Coracias in the Fissirosh-es, and Phoenicopterus amon" the Ana- 
 tm<e; and I am happy to be able by personal observation of their 
 
 * The Natural History awl Classification of Birds.— By WillIam Swainson, vols. 
 1st and 2d— Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopedia, 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. 63 
 
 habits to confirm his views as to their natural situation. If in some 
 parts his classification is deficient, it is from want of material alone, as 
 in the Baptores generally, and the Strigidw in particular. Here, how- 
 ever, fortunately important aid has heen derived from another quarter, 
 viz. from the accomplished Mr. Hodgson, Resident at the Court of Ne- 
 paul— who, in the papers he has published in the Indian periodicals, 
 has shewn that he combines the greatest talent for minute observation 
 of peculiarities of habits and manners with most critical skill in the 
 more abstruse and scientific art of classifying, to whom we may here- 
 after confidently look for filling up many of the outlines and deficiences 
 of Swainson's system, and whose promised work on the Fauna of Ne- 
 paul is so anxiously expected.* 
 
 It only requires for me to add that in the following catalogue the 
 length is reckoned in all cases from the tip of the bill, and when the 
 length of a toe is mentioned, it includes the claw also, unless the contra- 
 ry is particularly mentioned. 
 
 The following abbreviations are used in reference to the native 
 names :— • 
 
 H. Hindustani. 
 
 Can. Canarese. 
 
 Mali. Mahratta. 
 
 Mai. Malyalum. 
 
 Order I. RAPTORES. 
 
 Family VULTURIDiE. 
 
 Genus VULTUR.— Auct. Vulture. 
 
 The species of this genus may be speedily collected on exposing a 
 carcass on the open plain, though none were previously in sight. They 
 are readily distinguished in the air by their manner of soaring with 
 wings turned obliquely upwards. 
 
 1. V. Jndicus, Lath.— Temm. P. C. 2G.— Geedh, H.—Mahah-Dhoh 
 of Mahrattas. Large brown Vulture. 
 
 2. V. Bengalensis.— Gmel. — Gray and Hardwicke 111. Ind. Zool.— 
 V.Cinereus, Temm. var. — V. ceuconotos, Gray and Hardw.— Old bird ?— 
 Geedh, H. — Small brown Vulture. 
 
 3. V. Pondlcerianus, Lath — Rung Geedh, H.— Black Vulture. 
 
 * See Literary and Scienlijic Intelligence, at the end of this Journal.— Editor. 
 
C-i Catalogue of the Birds C j ult 
 
 Colonel Sykes correctly says of this bird < mostly solitary.' Two or 
 three may however frequently be found hunting together over high 
 rocky and bushy hills. On the Neilgherries I have seen flocks of 
 twenty or thirty of what I conceived to be this species hunting in com- 
 pany over the hills, occasionally reconnoitering some spot where some- 
 thing unusual attracted their attention, and circling over it for some 
 time— and then pursuing their onward course. As I did not procure a 
 specimen, this may be a distinct species, perhaps the allied one « aurU 
 cularis' or social vulture, which is stated in some works to occur in. 
 India. 
 
 Genus NEOPHRON, Sav. 
 
 4. N. Percnopterus, Sw.—Kul-moorgh, H.— Dung bird— Scavenger. — 
 White Vulture. 
 Very common; most numerous in cantonments and large villages, 
 where it is of the greatest utility. As Colonel Sykes remarks, ' they 
 are most efficient scavengers.' 
 
 Family FALCON ID^E. 
 Sub Family AQUILINE.— Eagles. 
 
 Genus PANDION, Sav.— Fi^Eagle, or Fish-Hawk. 
 
 5. P. Hafueelus, Sav.— A. Haliceetus, L.—Mucharera, H.— Osprey. 
 
 This bird appears to have been hitherto unrecorded as Indian, for in 
 Yarrell's ' British Birds' and Sir W. Jardine's later work in the ' Natu- 
 ralist's Library' there is no mention of its occurrence here, though its 
 geographical distribution is particularly recorded. I have seen it on 
 the Trichoor Lake, and near Ponany on the west coast, and a short 
 time ago obtained a specimen as far inland as Jaulnah. My specimens 
 correspond pretty exactly with the description of British ones. The 
 pectoral band was distinct on all— lades bright yellow. 
 
 6. P. lineatus ?—Hal. lineaius, Gray 1—Pand. Indieus, Hodgs. 1 
 
 I several times observed a large Fishing Eagle on the Chilka lake, 
 which at a short distance appeared of an uniform greyish green colour. 
 
£S39] of the Peninsula of India. 65" 
 
 This may have been the species figured in Gray and Hardwicke's Illus- 
 trations, but I did not succeed in obtaining a specimen. I frequently saw 
 it plunge completely under water (as the Osprey) and bear off a large 
 fish in its talons to some neighbouring eminence. 
 
 Sub Genus HALLEETUS.-Sew Eagle. 
 
 7. //. blagrus, Less. — F. blagrus, Shaw.— F.leucoaaster, Latb. — Aiglc 
 Ocea?iique, Temm. PI. Col. 49. — Grey backed Sea Eagle. 
 
 The descriptions of this bird which I possess, are not very satis- 
 factory, but I have no doubt it is the bird named as above in Lesson 
 and Griffith's Cuvier. It is certainly not very common. I first 
 observed it sailing over the Chilka lake, at a considerable elevation, 
 from whence it made an unsuccessful swoop at a duck I shot. I 
 again saw it at Ponany, sitting sluggishly on the sandy beach close 
 to the sea, and again, near Calicut, saw a pair skimming very 
 closely over some low bushy ground. The stomach of the speci- 
 men I procured was empty. The fishermen at Ponany assert that it 
 lives chiefly on fish, and frequently carries one off from their boats or 
 nets. It doubtless, however, varies its food according to opportunity, 
 and like its European analogue the H. afbicilla, nothing may come 
 amiss to it. Its flight at first after rising is heavy, but when once fairly 
 on the wing easy and powerful, rising to a great height by large and 
 graceful sweeps. It agrees exactly with the characters of Haliceetus as 
 lately defined by Yarrell and Hodgson. This sub-genus, though not 
 admitted by Swainson, appears necessary to join Aquila and Pandiom 
 and may perhaps be marked as a sub-genus of the latter, leaning towards 
 it by its roughish soles, length of wings, which reach beyond the tail, 
 and festooned upper mandible. I add a brief description of my specimen. 
 Back and wings light blueish grey, occasionally tinted with brownish 
 ash. Quills and tail brownish black, the latter broadly margined with 
 white — rest of the body pure white; feathers of head and neck acuminat- 
 ed ; bill, horn colour; cere, yellowish ; legs, dirty yellowish-white ; hides, 
 brownish yellow. Length about 30 inches, wing to end of 3d quill 24 
 inches, tail 10 inches, tarsus 3^, middle toe and claw 4. 
 
 8. H. Icthycetas, Horsf. 
 
 I have not myself observed this species of marine Eagle, but it was 
 obtained by Mr. Elliot, in the Southern Mabratta country. It is 
 said to live upon fish, but not solely; in one specimen there was the 
 
66 Catalogue of the Birds [July 
 
 skin of a bird. Its talons are rounded like those of the Osprey. Bill 
 strongly toothed; it and cere black ; legs dirty whitish ; hides, brown. 
 Length of a male bird 27 i inch, tarsus 3i inch. 
 
 Genus AQUILA.— Eagle. 
 
 9. A. Chryscelos — Golden Eagle. — Joomiz or Joombiz, H. 
 
 I several times observed birds of this species,both single and in pairs, in 
 the more northern parts of the Deccan, many of which shewed the white 
 mark at the base of the tail, which gained for it the name of ringtailed 
 Eagle, and I procured a specimen near the Go Javerj river. I frequently also 
 see them near Jaulnah, even close to the cantonment, and they are occasi- 
 onally seen to pursue and strike at hares, florikin and other game started 
 by sportsmen. This Eagle may generally be seen seated on the ground, 
 oron a stone on the rocky hills, in the neighbourhood of Jaulnah,whence, 
 after the sun has been up for some time,it tak^s anight in search of prey, 
 at no great elevation, hunting slowly over the bushy valleys and ra . 
 and also over the cultivated ground occasionally, after which if ui.sueess- 
 ful in its search, it reseats itself on a stone on some eminence, or even per- 
 ches on a neighbouring tree, where it patiently waits till some quarry is 
 raised or viewed, or till hunger again prompts it to take a flight. I ob- 
 tained a specimen alive some time ago, it having been slightly wounded j 
 and it is now in my possession, in perfect health. It feeds most greedily 
 on raw meat, preferring it to birds or animals either dead or living. It 
 is very sluggish and inactive even when urged by hunger. It generally 
 drinks a gulp or two of water after eating. The only cry 1 have heard it 
 utter is a harsh croaking. I shall now for the sake of comparison add a 
 brief description of this bird, which exactly corresponds in plumage with 
 the other specimen I shot. 
 
 Upper part of head and neck, pale buff cream colour, some of the fea- 
 thers on the forehead broadly streaked with dark brown, and a few other 
 detached ones entirely of an orange buff colour. Quills nearly black, tail 
 of a dark hoary grey, barred and clouded with blackish, and broadly ter- 
 minated by the same colour. Under tail coverts pale brownish white, 
 all the rest of the body of a rich glossy dark brown, tinged on spots w it ti 
 lighter brown ; on the scapulars, there are one or two white feathcrs.'and 
 one or two more edged by the same colour. Cere an I legs, yellow, with a 
 tinge of green, hides, brownish yellow. Length about 3 feet, wings 
 to end of 4th quill 26 inches, tail 13, tarsus about 4, middle toe and 
 claw 3-, h oths. On the internal and middle toe there are 4 large 
 scales each, and the division between the large scales and the small- 
 er ones,is not nearly so marked as is represented in ihe woodcut in 
 
1839] of Ike Peninsula of India. $7 
 
 YarrelPs British Birds ; this, however, may depend on age. Another 
 slight difference from the description of the European bird is, that the 
 nosuils are almost quite transverse, and do not point so much backward 
 as is represented both in plates and descriptions. 
 
 10. — A. bifasciata, Gray & Hardw. — Double banded- Eagle. 
 
 I have only seen this Eagle two or three times close to Jaulnah, but 
 have hitherto failed to procure a specimen. One was lately seen to 
 strike at a florikin. 
 
 11. — A. Vindhiana, Frankl. — A. punctata, Gray ? — A.fusca, Gray? — 
 A. fulrescens, Gray? — JVolhab, H. — Lesser Indian Eagle. — Mottled or 
 variable Eagle. 
 
 I possess a living specimen of an Eagle which corresponds as nearly 
 as possible with the description by Franklin of A. Vindhiana in his cata- 
 logue ; and T also possess specimens which have so great a resemblance 
 to the three Eagles, figured as distinct in Gray and Hardwicke's Illustra- 
 tions of Indian Zoology, as to warrant a conjecture that they are one and 
 the same species. In this conjecture I am strengthened by finding that 
 such is also the opinion of Mr. Elliot. 
 
 I shall here briefly describe some of my specimens to show their si- 
 milarity: — 1st, one resembling A. fulvescens, Gray, which I consider as 
 the youngest state of this Sagle. Head and neck of a fulvous orange co- 
 lour. Quills and greater coverts blackish brown, the latter edged with 
 pale greyish. Tail greyish brown, much barred with blackish. Rest of the 
 body of a light brownish grey, with a strong tinge of fulvous yellow 
 throughout, the feathers of the lower parts streaked in the centre with 
 darkish brown. 
 
 A second specimen has nearly cast off the whole of the light fulvous 
 colour, which only appears on the feathers of the abdomen and under 
 tail coverts, a feather sometimes being dark brown on one side of the 
 shaft, and fulvous on the other, but specks and streaks of this yellow 
 appear in many parts, especially on the head, back of neck, and breast, 
 as in A. punctata. 
 
 A third specimen is nearly of an uniform brown colour. In the living 
 bird, the head, throat and breast are of a very deep brown, almost black; 
 and this, though an old bird, is yet evidently not in its perfect plumage. 
 This bird varies in length from 25 (the male) to 28 or even 29 (the 
 
68 Catalogue of the Birds [JutY 
 
 fern.). In a female 23 inches long, the wings are 21 inches. Expansion of 
 do. about 5 feet. Tail 11 inches. Tarsus o ; mid toe and claw 3. Cere 
 deep yellow. Feet a little paler do. Irides hazel brown. The Wokhab 
 is the most abundant Eagle in India. I have seen it both in the Carnatic, 
 though more rarely, and on the table-land, where it is tolerably^ommon. 
 In the Carnatic it chiefly frequents hilly districts clad with low jungle. 
 In the Deccan it frequents, by preference, the cultivated lands near vil- 
 lages. Till an hour or two after sunrise, it may be seen seated on the 
 top of some tree, after which it sallies forth, sailing about at a moderate 
 height in general (though it varies much in this respect) over the fields, 
 valleys, and ravines, with a slow and circling flight, or in company with 
 the kites, like which it is ever on the look out;hovers over villages,to\vns 
 and cantonments. They prey upon haves, (as I have ascertained, in one 
 or two instances, from the contents of their stomach,) and other game ; 
 also rats, lizards, snakes and insects ; o casionally also pounce on an un- 
 wary bird, and in fact feed upon almost any kind of food, living or dead, 
 which, however, they obtain perhaps less by their own industry than by 
 robbing other birds, kites, falcons, and other birds of prey. From Mr. 
 Elliot's notes, I extract the following — "The Wokhab is very trouble- 
 some in hawking after the sun becomes hot, mistaking the jesses for 
 some kind of prey and pouncing on the falcon to seize it. I have once 
 or twice nearly lost Shnheens inconsequence, they living to great distances 
 from fear of the Wokhab." The one I possess alive, is not very parti- 
 cular as to its food. It frequently snatches morsels from the golden 
 Eagle kept with it, to which the latter in general quietly submits ; is a 
 very noisy bird, frequently uttering its shrill scream, and has a great 
 share of curiosity, walking up to, andcaretully and thoroughly examining 
 every new comer I place in the same apartment. It is apparently a very 
 easily domesticated bird, and perhaps might be taught to hunt hares, &c." 
 
 11 Aq. ? Neilgherry Eagle. 
 
 On the summit of the Neilgherries there is very frequently seen a 
 black Eagle, larger than the Wokhab, but of which I was unable to pro- 
 cure a specimen. I have heard it is also often met with in Coorg. 
 
 •It is considered too slow andhcavy for purposes of Falconry. I differ only with Mr. 
 Jerdon in thinking the dark species (Aq . fusca, Gray), to be the young bird, which grows 
 lighter by age, and becomes A. flavescens when old W. E. 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. 69 
 
 Genus NISAETUS, Hodgson.— Hawk-eagle. . 
 
 12.— N. niveus?—F. niveus, Temm. P. C— 127?— White lellied 
 Hawk Eagle. — Mhorungah or Mhorungee, H. 
 
 I presume, from the meagre descriptions I possess, that my specimen 
 is identical with the Javanese bird, named as above by M. Temminck. 
 It appears to belong to the new genus, which Mr. Hodgson has, I think, 
 most justly separated and named very happily.* This species is not 
 crested, but otherwise agrees exactly with the characters given, which 
 are (among others) short high bill, short wings, rather long but nervous 
 tarsus and immense feet and claws. M. Lesson, I see, has ranged this 
 bird as a Spizaetus, which however is remarkable for its small feet. 
 
 The Mhorungah is certainly a rare bird in Southern India. 1 have 
 only seen it twice, once in the Baramahl, seated on the edge of a tank in 
 the neighbourhood of a jungly district, and again a pair seated on a lofty 
 tree, in a tope in open country in the northern part of the Ueccan. I 
 know nothing of its habits or food from personal observation. Mr. 
 Hodgson says the habits of the genus are as follows : " Preys on jungle 
 fowl, partridges, hares — watches from a lofty perch, usually pouncing 
 on its game when near it — sometimes pursues with energy on the wing." 
 Mr. Elliot met it occasionally in the Southern Mahratta country, and 
 from his notes I extract the following observations: " Is the noblest of 
 the Indian Eagles, being seldom seen, and then generally at a great 
 height in the air, in wild and savage places. It preys ©n the hare — I 
 once saw a pair of them hunting in company, which nearly surprised a 
 peacock, pouncing on him on the ground." I suppose it is more an in- 
 habitant of jungly and wooded districts than of the open plain, as are 
 the true Eagles. I add here, a brief description of my specimen : — Above, 
 hair brown, most of the feathers edged with a lighter tint, and some 
 white about the head and sides of neck. Below, pure white, feathers nar- 
 rowly streaked in the centre with dark brown — feathers of leg and tar- 
 sus, thickly barred with pale fawn brown. Bill of a'greenish horn colour. 
 Cere and legs greenish yellow, hides bright yellow. Length 27 inches 
 — wings 19 — tail 10| — 2\ inches beyond wing— tarsus 3^ — middle toe 
 3, 9 ? ths of an inch. Eyebrows prominent. 
 
 Genus CIRCAETUS.— Vieill. 
 
 Harrier-eagle — Serpent-eagle. 
 * Journal, ^sialic Society, Bengal No. 65, 
 
f(J Catalogue of the Birds [July 
 
 13 — C. brachydactylut. — A. bra-hi/dactyla, Meger. White bellied 
 Harrier Eagle or Serpent-Eagle — Samp-mar, H. — Mulpatur, Can. 
 
 This species is very generally spread over the country. It affects 
 chiefly the open plains and patches of cultivated ground. It may fre- 
 quently be observed perched on a low tree, or even a bowrie pole, or 
 seated on the bank of a river, whence it occasionally darts upon its quar- 
 ry, but generally takes a long and lofty circling flight, or flies heavily 
 along, but a few yards above the ground. The most favourite food of the 
 samp-mar is, as its Indian name implies, snakes. It will, however, 
 take other food. Colonel Svkes found a rat in the stomach of one. I 
 saw one strike at a wounded hare, and another make a swoop at a 
 teal that was shot. From Mr. Elliot's notes I take the following : — 
 " Pounces on snakes and guanas — my meer shikar has seen them on 
 the ground with their claws on the snake's head, its body coiled round 
 the bird's wings, in which state the herd-boys sometimes kill them. 
 The Yerklees say it has a figure of the God's chidram under each 
 wing, by which it prevents the snake going forward. In the stomach of 
 one I found a snake, about 2 feet long, and a centipede." 
 
 hides, orange yellow. Legs, pale and dirty yellow. Length of a fe- 
 male 30 inches— of wings to end of 4th quill 23 — tail 12— tarsus 4— mid- 
 dle toe 3— outer and inner toes, without the claws, nearly equal. 
 
 14 — C. ? undulatus. — Hcematornis undulatus, Vig. — Gould, Cent. 
 Him. Birds. — Goom-can-mooryala, Mali. — Crested Serpent-Eagle. 
 
 As I see Mr. Swainson has claimed the priority of the name Hcema- 
 tornis for his crested bulbuls, I have at present, though with hesitation, 
 retained this species under the genus Circaetus, to which it is evidently 
 strongly allied in parts of its structure (more especially its legs and 
 feet) as well as in habits and food, and of which it will probably be 
 found hereafter to form a sub-genus. I have found it in Goomsoor 
 Travancore, Malabar, and the Baramabl. It almost always affects 
 woody situations, preferring lofty jungle, over which it may often be 
 observed slowly sailing, or seated on a lofty tree, watching for its prey. 
 Its chief food is snakes, which I have found in every instance that 
 came under my observation. Mr. Elliot says " utters a plaintive cry, feeds 
 on insects, lizards and snakes." 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. ?1 
 
 Length of male 24 to 26 inches, of female 28 to 30. Of a female 28 
 inches long, the wings were 17, tail 1(H, tarsus 'i\, middle toe 2|, tail 2 
 inches longer than the wins:. 
 
 Sub Family CYMINDIN.E, Sav.— True Kites. 
 Genus ELANUS, Sav. 
 
 15. E. melanopterus. — Kupasee, H — Black wing, Hodgs. 
 
 Though very generally spread over India, this kite is by no means 
 common. It is most frequent in woody districts. Its general food is in- 
 sects (chiefly grasshoppers and locusts), lizards and mice. I shot one 
 in Goomsoor, which was devouring the carcass of a dove; this, however, 
 appeared to have been dead for some time, and I doubt if it was killed 
 by the blackwing. The Kupasee often frequents long grass and grain 
 fields, over which it may be seen to hover like the Keslril. It is com- 
 paratively rare in the Deccan, owing to the country being so devoid of 
 trees. For a full account of this bird, its habits, &e. and accurate mea- 
 surements, vide a paper in this Journal No. 16 by Mr. Hodgson. 
 I rides fine crimson. Legs deep yellow,peculiarly soft and gummy. 
 
 Sub Family BUTEONHsLE— Duz-ards and Harriers, 8rc. 
 Genus MILVUS, Auct. 
 
 16. M. Cheele. — M. Govinda, Sykes. — Cheel, H.— Common or Pariah 
 
 Kite. 
 
 This very useful bird is extremely numerous, more especially in 
 cantonments, villages and camps, and is continually on the look out 
 for refuse of every description. Colonel Sykes says " constantly soar- 
 ing in the air in circles, watching an opportunity to dart upon a chicken, 
 and upon refuse animal matter thrown from the cook-room." I rather 
 think that the blame of carrying off chickens is, occasionally at least, 
 unjustly attributed to this bird. Vide postea, Spizaetus. Away from 
 cantonments, it preys chiefly on reptiles, is also remarkably fond offish, 
 both fresh and dried. Has a very shrill cry or squeal. Irides dark brown, 
 bill black, yellow cere, legs yellow, anterior scales large and transverse, 
 all the others small, irregular. Length 23 to 26 inches ; of one 23 
 inches long the wings are 18, tail I0h, tarsus 2, middle toe 2-ljV 
 
72 Catalogue of the Birds [July 
 
 17- M. pondicerianus. — HaUceetns pondicerianus.— Roo-tnubarik 
 (Ang\. happy face,), //. — vulgo, Bahmuuee cheel. — Brahminy kite of 
 Europeans. 
 
 There is great dispute among naturalists, as to the true situa- 
 tion of this very common bird : most writers refer it to the genus 
 Haliceel'ts or sea eagle. Swainson refers it to the Acc'ipitrince or 
 hawk family, but at the same time allows its near alliance to 
 Pandion. Hodgson, the only writer who has observed il in its 
 wild state (except Colonel Sykes who refers it to H alias 
 calls it a paltry milvine bird, and says it should be placed as a 
 Buteo or Milvus. With this opinion, I nearly agree, and according- 
 ly place it for the present as a Milvus, of which, or of Buteo, it will 
 probably be hereafter found to constitute a sub-genus. The great- 
 est difference is, perhaps, the shape of the bill, and in the young 
 bird, this is much less perceptible. Its manners, mode of life, &c, are 
 certainly similar to those of the kite, being much on the wing, sailing 
 over tanks, paddy fields, and rivers, at a moderate height, and with a 
 flight like that of the kite, but perhaps with mure frequent motion of 
 its wings. Hodgson says it quests like Circus. This I have only 
 seen in wooded country (in Travancore) and then its flight was higher 
 and not nearly so regular. I may also remark that its squeal is very 
 similar to that of the kite. Hodgson says, it lives chiefly on insects^ 
 Colonel S\kes says, it never feeds on carrion but always on fish (living). 
 From my own observations, made chiefly in the Carnatic, where it isvery 
 abundant, I should say it pri f rs aquatic food. It may frequently be 
 observed to carry off a fish from the surface of water, but I never saw r 
 it dip under, as Colonel Sykes relates. It also feeds much on crabs 
 from tanks and paddy fields, also on frogs and various aquatic insects ; 
 and occasionally carries off a dead or wounded snipe, or other bird, and 
 even carrion, and, it is also credibly said, young birds, chickens and 
 pigeons, though I have not myself witnessed it. I have, though, very 
 rarely, seen it whip an insect off a tree or standing grain : this, and its 
 food generally, if not heavy, il often devours in the air, like (he common 
 kite, or seated on the edge of a tank, or river, or bank of a paddy field. 
 It partakes very greedily of the small fish so generally dried by the 
 poor on our coast, and I have repeatedly seen it catch one thrown up 
 in the air for that purpose by a native. From this we must conclude 
 that it varies its food, according to opportunity, but undoubted- 
 ly it prefers the neighbourhood of water, and aquatic food, as crab-, 
 frogs and fish, when procurable. It is, as is well known, sacred to 
 Vi-hnoo. 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. 73 
 
 Length 18 fo 22 inches — of one 1S± inches long, the wings to 4th 
 quill are 15 inches ; tail 8j ; tarsus and middle toe about equal, nearly 
 2 inches. Irides brown ; legs dirty yellow ; anterior scales large trans- 
 verse — posterior smaller, in a double row — lateral scales small, bilL 
 greenish horn colour, whitish at tip ; cere greenish white. 
 
 Genus PERNIS, Cuv. 
 
 Honey-buzzard — Skahutela, II. 
 
 18 — P. cri<la(a,Cuv. — F. ptilorhynchus ,'Feinm. — Crestedlloney -buzzard. 
 
 I have only met with this bird in the jungles of the Western Coast 
 and Neilgherries. It is by no means common. I occasionally saw it 
 seated on a tree, alternately raising and depressing its peculiarly formed 
 crest, and on the Neilgherries frequently saw it questing diligently 
 backwards and forwards over the dense woods tliere. I procured a 
 female at the foot of the Conoor pass, and a male on the summit of the 
 hills. Their usual flight is rather slow, but I once observed one flying 
 much more rapidly than in general with a continued motion of its wings, 
 and every now and then stopping and attempting to hover, which it did 
 with its wings turned very obliquely upwards ; this seemed a great ex- 
 ertion to it and was very clumsily peiformed. In the stomach of the 
 female I shot, was a soft green mass which looked like vegetable matter, 
 but which was probably the half digested remains of green caterpillars. 
 In the stomach of the male there was a large quantity of pure honey. 
 (Mr. Elliot found the hair of a rat in the stomach of one— in another 
 ants, wax, and honey). The female contained an egg ready for expul- 
 sion, which was very different in colour from that of the English honey- 
 buzzard, recently figured in the ' Naturalist's Library,' and closely re- 
 sembled that of the common European kite, also figured there. 
 
 As my specimens differ somewhat from the descriptions of this bird in 
 Cuvier and Lesson, I shall briefly describe them. Female — colour of 
 plumage pale brown ; lightest below and darkest on the scapulars and 
 larger coverts ; the shafts of the feathers of head, neck and breast, dark 
 brown ; an occipital _crest of 3 or 4 deep brown oval feathers ; a few 
 white blotches on the belly increasing in number towards the vent; 
 tail light greyish brown, numerously barred with deep brown, three of 
 the bars being conspicuously broader than the others. Bill blackish 
 blue colour ; legs and feet yellow ; irides bright yellow. 
 
74 Catalogue of the Birds [Jult 
 
 The male bird is throughout of an uniform dark clove brown, with 
 rather less white about the belly and vent. 
 
 Length of male 21, of female 27 inches : of the latter the wings are 
 18 ; tail 11 ; tarsus 2i ; middle toe 3 T 2 ^ths ; outer and inner toes, without 
 the claws, nearly equal. The hides of one of Mr. Elliot'* specimens 
 were blood red. 
 
 19.— P. Eltiotti, Jameson's Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal (no 
 
 description). 
 The following account of this new species of honey-buzzard, I take 
 entirely from Mr. Elliot's notes, who met with it in the Southern Mah- 
 ratta country, and took home specimens, which are deposited in the Col- 
 lege Museum, Edinburgh, and in honour of whom it was named by Pro- 
 fessor Jameson, of Edinburgh. I have never met with it. 
 
 Description.— Hind head considerably crested; colour above, brown, 
 the crest and shades on the back very dark; head, neck, and middle 
 coverts very pale, intermixed with white; ocular band dark brown ; 
 cheeks and beneath white ; throat with a few brown lines ; quills with 
 darker bands on the inner webs; tail irregularly dark bunded w ith 5 or 6 
 bands, edged with whitish, and passing into pale brown in the centre of 
 the intermediate spaces ; cere, legs and hides yellow; beak and talons 
 black, the former paler at base. In another specimen the space in front 
 of the eyes and a band below the eyes also were dark, and the tail had 
 two broad dark bands near the base, and one near the tip, with between 
 them about six narrow pale transverse stripes, also whitish extreme 
 tip.* 
 
 Length of male about 2 feet ; beak l T V ns of an inch to front ; tail 10 
 inches, exceeding wings by 2\ or 3 inches ; tarsus 2 T \, ths ; middle toe 3 ; 
 claw alone T °_ths ; bill strong bent with scarcely a festoon; claws 
 strong, bent and channelled. In the stomach of one were some frag- 
 ments of black ants, some hair, and what was supposed to be the rough 
 skin of a monitor lizard : another had eaten honey, wax and bees. 
 
 * It differs entirely from the former in having a smaller crest, and being altogether of a 
 light colour, and while beneath ; the PHloryhnckui being nearly black, dutted w itli white 
 beneath and under the wings.and the tail with fewer bands.— W. E. 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of l?idia. 7° 
 
 Genus SPIZAETUS, Vieill. — Eagle buzzard. 
 
 20. — 5. milvoides. — New species.? 
 
 Description. — Head and hind neck of a pale orange brown, the 
 feathers lanceolate and streaked in centre with dark brown. Some of 
 the feathers of the occiput entirely brown and elongated, showing that 
 the bird has been probably crested (I did not see it in the fresh state) ; a 
 narrow superciliary stripe, and a band from the angle of the mouth to 
 the ears and chin, deep brown. Rest of the upper plumage of a sepia 
 brown ; middle coverts and some of the scapulars, broadly edged with 
 whitish brown, causing a conspicuous broad light coloured mark on 
 the wings, as in B. tcesa and, though less conspicuously, in the Milvus 
 cheele ; tail darker, barred indistinctly on the inner web only. Beneath, 
 dark reddish brown — palest on the feathers of the tarsi. Cere 
 and nasal portion of the bill yellow — feet do. Bill small, bending 
 from the base ; cutting edge almost perfectly straight. Inner edge of 
 the centre claw, dilated, as in Pernis. Feet short ; length 23 inches ; 
 wings 1G|; tail beyond, 2; from base 9; tarsus 2|, stout; mid. 
 toe 2| ; three broad scales at the base of each claw, inner claw very large. 
 
 This is the bird alluded to, under the head of the common kite, as the 
 one to which the blame of carrying off chickens, pigeons, &c. should, at 
 all events from the accounts I received, be sometimes attributed. My 
 attention was first called to this bird atTrichinopoly,by Mr. Hooper,C. S. 
 who kindly gave me a specimen shot by himself in the act of pouncing 
 on some of his pigeons. I occasionally afterwards recognised it, as I 
 thought, among the kites, and saw it attempt to swoop oft' chickens and 
 pigeons, though I failed in procuring a. second specimen. Its appear- 
 ance in the air and mode of flight much resemble that of the kite, but 
 the crows appear to distinguish it readily, and often clamorously pursue 
 it. I have not hitherto observed it elsewhere. I have given it provi- 
 visionally the name of Milvoides from the general similarity of its 
 markings, and its usual association with the common kite. 
 
 Genus BUTEO.— Auct. Buzzard. 
 
 21. B. lomj'qies. — New species? — F. albidus? — Temm. P. C. — C/tooa 
 mar, H ? — Long legged buzzard. 
 
 This bird, if a true species of buzzard, and hitherto undescribed, may be 
 named as above, from its long tarsi, which evidently ally it to the Harri- 
 
76 Catalogue of the Birds [July 
 
 ers. It approaches somewhat to the description of B. albidus, Less. 
 but that is said to be crested, and if so, is more probably a honey-buzzard. 
 Description. — I possess two specimens differing a good deal from each 
 otlier.both of which I shall briefly describe.— The first has general ground 
 tint of a yellowish brown, purest on the head, neck, throat and breast, 
 most of tlie feathers are centred darker. On the back the tint is nearly 
 lost by the prevalence of the darker shade, an edging of the lighter co- 
 lour only being left ; quills with outer web greyish, inner web blackish 
 from tip to deep sinuosity ; white beyond ; tail reddish grey and indis- 
 tinctly barred. Belly, vent, thigh, coverts, deep auburn brown ; the line of 
 demarcation between this and the lighter tint of the breast strongly and 
 abruptly marked! Cere pale greenish yellow ; hides yellow ; legs dirty 
 yellow; length '26 inches ; wings 18| : tail 10: tarsus nearly 4; mid toe 2|. 
 
 My other specimen I at present possess alive, having only very slight- 
 ly wounded it : its head, necl<, throat, breast, and belly are white, streak- 
 ed on some of the feathers with reddish brown ; back, as in the other 
 specimen, but rather lighter ; tail with the outer webs reddish white ; in- 
 ner white, indistinctly and incompletely barred with darker : cere yel- 
 lowish green; hides pale yellow. This is apparently the younger bird of 
 the two. 
 
 This bird differs from the characters of Buleo in its higher bill and 
 larger cere and nostrils. In these respects,as well as in its length of tarsus, 
 it approaches the Cirei, bu t has remarkably short though strong feet and 
 claws, a robuster make, and different habits. Tarsus shielded anteriorly 
 and posteriorly with large and well defined scales ; toes only furnished 
 at their extremity with large scales ; outer and inner toes, without the 
 claws, sub-equal : wings with 4th quill largest, reaching to end of tail, 
 which is slightly rounded ; four first quills much notched. 
 
 This is certainly a rare bird. I have hitherto only seen it near Jaul- 
 nah, perched on low trees or on the ground, in fields, or near water, and 
 taking a low and short flight to another similar perch. In the stomach 
 of the specimen I shot there was a Gri/l/ota'pa. Mr. Elliot, who met 
 with this species only in Guzrat, says, " This bird evidently preys en the 
 field rats which abound in the sandy soil of this province. He is seen 
 sitting on low trees or bushes, over the rat burrows, and, watching his op- 
 portunity, darts down on his victim. In the stomach of one were the 
 exuviae of a rat (Arvicola) and a large beetle." He also says, " eye- 
 brows veiy rominent ; large eye ; full pupil ; irides pale dun." 
 
 22 — B. teesa, Gray. — Cirrus teesa, Frankl. — F. trioirgatus, Temm. — 
 Astur Hyder, Sykes. — Teesa, H. 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. 77 
 
 1 shall, for the present, here place this somewhat'anomalous bird, and 
 shall consider it as a connecting link between the buzzards and falcon?. 
 Colonel Sykes, and others, consider it as an Astur, to which it certainly 
 has some resemblance ; but as in Swainson's classification the falcons 
 and not the hawks are united to the buzzards, and as it certainly in 
 many points is allied to Buleo, I have accordingly left it as the medium 
 of junction of the two families. I am by no means certain, however, that 
 it should remain here ; for its small size, its manner of flight, and other 
 habits, tend to remove it from this heavy-flying family. I have only 
 hitherto seen the Teesa in the more northern portion of the Deccan, and 
 it increases in number as you advance to the northward ; about Jaulnah 
 it is very numerous. It frequents topes, as well as the open country, 
 where it may be seen seated on low trees and bushes, an ant hill, or the 
 banks of rivers, whence it pounces on mice, lizards, small snakes and 
 various large insects and their larvae. Mr. Elliot in his notes says, " It 
 is said to be fond of crabs. It certainly does not refuse them. I saw a 
 Pardee catch one directly by baiting his springs or nooses with a crab. " 
 The flight of the Teesa is tolerably rapid, performed by repeated strokes 
 of the wings, exactly like that of the Kestril, for which at a distance 
 I have occasionally mistaken it. Its flight too in general is low. I 
 have seen it several times take a much more extended flight than usual 
 over a rumna, flying at a low elevation, and now and then rising slowly 
 a few feet, and I observed it apparently capture a locust or some other 
 insect on the wing. I possess at present a pair of the Teesa alive, a 
 young male and adult female. The male has much white below, streak- 
 ed with brown, and the brown of the upper parts is not so dark as in the 
 adult specimen. The hides are light brown. I had lately also brought 
 me a full fledged young bird, which had dropped from the nest. In 
 this the head, back of neck, and all below, were of a reddish fawn colour, 
 streaked with brown. The light wing spot was also of a reddish white 
 colour, and the irides dark brown, in other respects it did not differ ma- 
 terially from the older birds ; has a plaintive but crowing call, consist- 
 ing of two notes. Irides silvery white ; cere and part of bill yellow ; 
 tip of the latter blackish ; legs and feet yellow. Length 16 — 17i ; 
 of a fem. I7^,the wing 12— tail G| — tarsus, 2\, mid. toe 2. 
 
 I shall here add a few particulars respecting the structure of this curi- 
 ous bird. Bill rather short, edge of the mandible scarcely festooned, gradu- 
 ally bending from base, nostrils rather small, pyriform,with narrow point, 
 
78 Catalogue of the Birds [July 
 
 placed upwards and forwards; wings reaching to within about an inch 
 of end of tail; 3d and 4th quills longest and nearly equal ; four first, with 
 webs, notched, but not so deeply as in the last species. Legs and feet 
 moderate, strong; anterior scales large, transverse ; posterior not so 
 distinct, in a double row. Internal lateral scales small, irregular. Ex- 
 ternal ditto, larger. Feet short ; inner toe without the claw, shorter 
 than the outer one ; whole length of the toes covered with broad scales. 
 
 Genus CIRCUS, Bechstein— Harrier. 
 
 23 — C. pallidas, Sykes. — C. cy a >te us, wir I — Dust-mal, H.— Indian Har- 
 rier and Ringtail. 
 
 Besides the peculiarities of plumage which indued Colonel Sykes to 
 separate this bird from the European Harrier, it differs in having the 
 wing longer, being in some specimens I4i inches long, and reaching 
 within U inch of the end of the tail j it also differs somewhat in the pro- 
 portionate' length of the quills. 
 
 The Indian Harrier is very generally spread and in many parts indeed 
 very abundant. It frequents the open stony plains and cultivated 
 ground; especially when the grain is high — occasionally, though rarely, I 
 have seen it in cantonment, hunting along a hedge side. I have seen 
 it perch on trees, though very seldom. Its chief food is lizards, locusts 
 and grasshoppers — also mice and small or young birds, especially quail, 
 if an opportunity occurs of suddenly snatching them. Mr. Elliot says in 
 his notes, " migrates from Southern Mahratta country in February, 
 and returns at the end of the monsoon like the B/iyree." 
 
 24. — C. cincraceus, Mont. — C- Montagui, Vieill.* — Montague's liar- 
 
 r'ur. 
 
 This species is I think more abundant even than the last in the table 
 land, but I did not observe it in the Carnatic. It frequents the same 
 ground, and has the same habits as ihe last. It differs remarkably from 
 it in 'he length of the tarsus, which is only 2| inches in the male bird, 
 whilst in C. puUidus it is about three inches. 
 
 • I cannot help thinking that Nos. 23 and 24 are the same bird. I deposited a series 
 of specimens showing the varieties of age and sex in what I considered to be three spe- 
 cies, but which, on comparison, were found to agree pretty exactly with a full series of 
 English specimens in the College museum Edinburgh, and by which I was satisfied of the 
 existence of two well defined species only,— Ciicus ci/anetis and C. cifteraeeu$,oi Monlagui- 
 — W. E- 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. 79 
 
 25. — C. riifus, Briss. — C. variegatus, Sykes' adult bird. — Marsh-Harrier. 
 — Kootur, H. 
 I venture to bring these synonymes together on the authority of Gould, 
 as mentioned in a late volume of the Naturalist's Library on British 
 Birds. The marsh-harrier is generally spread throughout India, but is 
 not nearly so common as either of the former species. It prefers hunting 
 over rivers, tanks, marshes and paddy fields, but also is frequently seen 
 skimming over the dry grain fields ; it feeds on various water insects, 
 fish, frogs, mice and small birds. The hides of the adult bird are yel- 
 low, of those in imperfect plumage, dark brown. Length of one specimen 
 2U inches, wing, 16, tail, 9, tarsus, 3- T \ths, mid. toe, 2|. 
 
 26. — C. Melanohucus. — Blade and While Harrier. 
 
 Though I have not yet procured a specimen of this rare Harrier, I have 
 seen it occasionally both in the Carnatic and West Coast, and it is includ- 
 ed in Mr. Elliot's catalogue of the birds in the Southern Mahratta 
 country, from which I take the following, measurements: — Length 17 — 
 18 inches ; tarsi 2- T 9 ^ths, weak ; mid. toe H ; bill and cere black ; 
 legs yellow ; wings l- T 7 -ths, shorter than tail. 
 
 Sub Family FALCONING, True Falcon. 
 
 Genus FALCON.— Auct. Falcon. 
 
 27. — F. peregrtnus, Peregrine Falcon— Bhyree, H. — the male being the 
 Bhyree bucha. 
 
 It is surprising that the Peregrine falcon has not hitherto been re- 
 corded as an inhabitant of India, as it is universally spread and much 
 used in Falconry by the natives. No mention of its having been found 
 here is made in « Yarrell's British Birds,' nor in Sir W. Jardine's later 
 work, though in the latter it is stated ' we think it much more than pro- 
 bable that it may also be found in the Alpine regions of India.' The Bhy- 
 ree is found even in the hottest parts of the peninsula. I obtained one 
 alive at Trichinopoly which was said to have fallen into a tank. Many 
 are yearly captured about Raronad and also in Ihe Northern Circars. 
 I shot a specimen on some rocks, in the sea of Tellicherry, at the end of 
 
80 Catalogue of the Birds [JuL7 
 
 April; and it is tolerably abundant in tlie more northern parts of the 
 Deccan, as near Jaulnah, occasionally coming into cantonment and car- 
 rying off chickens, &c. Mr. Elliot in his notes says, " It is migratory, 
 appearing on the eastern shores of the peninsula in September or Octo- 
 ber, and remaining till March or April, when it disappears for the purpose 
 of breeding and moulting." (I think I have observed it as late as June 
 near Jaulnah, but cannot be certain). " Great numbers are caught ei i ry 
 year in the Northern Circars by a cast named Yerklees, and sold to the 
 falconers of Hyderabad, Kurnool, &c, at an average of 10 rupees each. 
 The falconers distinguish three kinds, the black, the red and the 
 white, according to the shades in their plumage." The Bhyree affects, 
 in general, open country, rocky hills and deep valleys where brush- 
 wood abounds, also frequents tanks, an 1 preys much on paddy birds, 
 ducks and other water-fowl. It is more esteemed for its courage and 
 powers of flight than either of the other two large falcons found in 
 this country. It does not differ, as far as I can judge, from the de- 
 scriptions of British specimens. 
 
 28. — F. luggur. — New species? — F. lanarius, L. ? — Luggur, H. — the 
 male being the J-uggur.* 
 
 This species of falcon, apparently trades ribed, appears much to re- 
 semble the description of F. lanarius or the Lantter ; but, owing to the 
 only description I have access to being very briefand imperfect, I can- 
 not speak with any certainty. It is said by Mr. Gould to exceed the 
 Peregrine in size, and if so, is probably distin tas the Indian bird, though 
 much about the same length as the Peregrine, is not so large or heavy a 
 bird. Mr. Gray has given the specific name of juggur to a falcon, 
 which I do not know, but which does not resemble this one in the least. 
 
 The lugger is the most common of the large falcons of India ; unlike 
 the last it breeds here and on trees during the hot weather. 
 
 Descr.— Above, of a uniform brown colour ; below, white, with a few 
 brown spots and brown check stripe ; cere and legs, blueish ; wing fea- 
 thers hardly reach to the end of the tail. Quills and rectrices with 
 numerous white spots on their inner webs ; young bird is entirely brown 
 
 » The old bird at the 5th year is figured in Gray & Elardwicke, very correctly ; vol. u. 
 pi 26 Mr Jerdon's remarks, seem to refer entirely to the young bird. It is probably 
 anew species, differing from the Lamer ; is about the same size as the SftaAeen.and much 
 smaller than the Peregrine.— W. E. 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. 
 
 below. It loses the brown of the breast at its first moulting, and that 
 of the belly with the two following moults. Length of an adult female, 
 first year, 19 inches. I have derived most of the above information, re- 
 garding the change of colour of the luggur, from Mr. Elliot's notes, as, 
 though it is far from being uncommon, and I have frequently seen it, 
 I have hitherto only procured young birds. One was brought to me 
 alive atTrichinopolv; it was a bird of the year, and entirely brown 
 Another I shot lately at Jaulnah, has the head and hind neck of a light 
 fawn colour, broadly streaked with brown; chin and throat white ; lea- 
 thers centred with brown ; under tail coverts fawn, barred with brownish 
 grey, rest of the plumage dark brown, the feathers margined with a 
 
 lighter tint. 
 
 The Lugger is flown frequently at the crow, in pursuit of winch much 
 sport is said to be afforded. It is a bird of heavier and slower flight than 
 any of the other falcons of India. 
 
 29.-F. Shaheen.-Xew species.-Shaheen, II. ; the male being the 
 
 koela* 
 This also apparently undescribed falcon, very much resembles the 
 colouring of the F. juggur of Gray, but differs in wanting the rufous 
 head of the latter. It is not so common as the last, 1 think, and prefers 
 a wooded country, or at all events does not dislike it, for I have shot it 
 in Travancore, in a thickly wooded district, and seen specimens from other 
 parts of .he West Coast. From Mr. Elliot's notes I extract the follow- 
 ing • " The shaken is a native of India, and breeds pretty generally 
 among rocky mountains. The moulting begins about March, when 
 they also pair, and the young begin to fly about June, when they are 
 caught bv the falconer. Their natural flight is a high hovering in 
 the air, from which they pounce on their prey. This the falconer im- 
 proves into a standing gait, and makes them stoop on partridges, 
 florikin, &c. I have also heard of their being made to fly at duck and 
 teal." 
 
 Description.— Above, of a slate blue colour, lightest on the rump; head, 
 hind neck and cheek streak nearly black ; beneath, brownish orange, or 
 a sort of chesnut colour, which gradually disappears on the throat, 
 breast and upper part of belly, being replaced by white. In the young 
 bird the parts beneath are spotted with dark brown drops, which gra- 
 dually disappear from the crop downwards. Cere and legs yellow ; irides 
 
 • It is figured correctly inTemminck, PI. Ilium, as F. Mdovrandii.-W . B. 
 
•82 Catalogue of the Birds [Jvvr 
 
 deep brown ; quills and tail blackish grey. Length of female 17 — 174 
 inches; of a male bird 14^ : wings to end of second quill lOf ; tail 5£; tarsus 
 li; middle toe 2i. It differs in structure from the Peregrine in having 
 a shorter wing, shorter tarsus, and in the 3d quill (if my specimen is 
 in perfect plumage) being considerably shorter than the first. 
 
 The Shaheen is said to be very speedy, even more so than the 
 Peregrine, though it will not hold out so long. 
 
 30. — F. chiequera, Lath. — F. ruficoVi*, Swain. — Fem. Titroomlee — male 
 
 Chetwa, H. 
 
 The specific name of Chicqw-ra has been erroneously applied to 
 this species, being the Indian name for the common sparrow hawk of 
 the country. It corresponds in colouring exactly to the description 
 by Swainson of his supposed new species ;* the black marks round the 
 ear and beneath the eye, supposed by him to distinguish his rii/icollis, 
 are always present. It is generally, however, a larger bird. The tu- 
 roomtee frequents patches of wood or single trees in the open country, 
 and even gardens. It is found in all parts of the peninsula, is a bird 
 of great courage and activity, generally hunts in pairs, rising alternate- 
 ly over their prey, and sometimes following closely on the wing. I 
 have seen it hover, occasionally, though rarely. It preys chiefly on small 
 birds. Mr. Elliot has, " will not suffer other birds to approach their 
 perch, but drive away even the wohhub, hovering over him with 
 shrill cries. The iuroomtee is occasionally reclaimed and flown 
 at small birds, especially at the common jay or roller (Coracias Benya- 
 lensis), in pursuit of which much amusement is afforded from the clum- 
 sy evolutions and harsh cries of the quarry." Naked space round eyes, 
 cere and base of bill yellow ;legs do. ; length 14 — 15 inches, — of chetua 
 11 — 12. Tail exceeding wing by nearly two inches. 
 
 21. — F. tinnunculus, L. — Keslril or windhover. — Nurzee Nurzanuck, H. 
 
 The Icestril is an extremely common and abundant bird, frequenting 
 chieflv the open plains and bare rocky hills. Its chief food is lizards, 
 also large insects, and occasionally young birds. The male is occasion- 
 ally as large as the female. 
 
 * V. Birds of West Africa, vol. 1. 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. $3 
 
 Sub Family AC'CIPITER:— Hawks. 
 Genus ACCIPITER, Will.— Sparrow Hawh 
 
 32: — A. duMunertsis, Sykes. — A. dussumerii, Temm. ? — Chiequera or 
 Sh'ihra, fi. ; the male chipJca. — Common sparrow hawk. 
 
 Colonel Sykcs has accurately described the young state of this bird ; 
 but the adult plumage differs so much that it might be mistaken for a 
 distinct species, and I shall accordingly describe it -.—Above of a delicate 
 bluish grey colour, darkest on the head, ears greyish fawn, throat white, 
 with, in some instances,a faint longitudinal stripe; breast and belly white, 
 very numerously barred with narrow, transverse, fawn coloured marks, 
 so much so as almost to conceal the white ground. Lower belly, thighs 
 and under tail coverts pure white; a brownish red mark extends partially 
 round the upper part of the back of the neck, forming a half cellar, 
 only conspicuous however when the neck is stretched. Quills blackish. 
 Tail with 2 middle and 2 outer feathers not barred, the remaining ones 
 only on their inner webs. Cere bright yellow ; irides, deep orangeyellow r ; 
 feet buff yellow ; length of male 12^ inches; of female 14| ; of the latter 
 the wing to end of 4th quill is 8- T Vhs ; tail 4 inches beyond, from base 
 nearly 7 i tarsus about 2 ; mid. toe l- T Vhs ; tarsus with anterior scales 
 large, transverse ; posterior scales, small and numerous above, larger 
 below, and in two rows ; external lateral scales distinct and transverse ;. 
 internal lateral, indistinct,or confounded with the posterior. 
 
 This widely spread hawk prefers a woody situation, though not in 
 general found in thick jungles. It hunts about avenues, hedge rows, 
 topes and open spaces in the jungle, often enters gardens, approaching 
 close to houses. It takes its prey by a sudden pounce, seldom attempt- 
 ing to follow. Its chief food is lizards and small or young birds. The 
 Shikra is very commonly reclaimed ; in this state it is a bird of great 
 courage, and will easily strike down partridges, crows, and even larger 
 birds, as the small hornbills (Z?. gingianus) and young half grown 
 peafowl. I am informed that at Hyderabad it has been trained to hunt 
 hares. Mr. Elliot says, " a variety without the black line on throat is 
 called meelun, and is particularly esteemed in falconry." 
 
 I think it barely possible that the F. Dussumerii of Temm. may be iden- 
 tical with this bird ; though I see Colonel Sykcs has referred to this 
 another species, and Mr. Elliot considers it as properly belonging to the 
 next species. 
 
84 Catalogue of the Birds [Jult 
 
 33. — A. Dussumerii.—F. Dussumerii, Temm.Y.C. ?—Basha (the female) 
 Bashecn (the male),H. 
 I have not hitherto seen this sparrow hawk, and take the following 
 brief description from Mr. Elliot's notes : "Above, brown, white eyebrow 
 tail with 5 or 6 bars; beneath, white barred, and a tinge of reddish on 
 breast : utters a plaintive cry like the besra ; legs long and thin." Colonel 
 Svkes says, ' Irides bright yellow, wings short, tail long and narrow (6| 
 inches) ; total length of afemalel2£ inches. 'As I before stated, I think that 
 this species may 7 be yet undescribed, for several specimens off. Dussii' 
 merit appear to have been taken home by the French travellers, and 
 the Shikra is the only species at all common. 
 
 "A. — A. Besra. — New species ? — Besra (female), Dhotee (male), H. 
 
 Of this species I am also ignorant, and am indebted again to Mr. El- 
 liot's notes for the following very brief notice. 
 
 " Above, brown ; beneath, white with brown spots ; becoming more 
 cinereous with age, and the spots beneath becoming broad bars ; cere 
 and legs greenish yellow : eyes yellow, large pupil ; length about 12 in- 
 ches, tarsus 2,-\ of an inch."* 
 
 .35. — A. fringillarius. — English sparrow-hawk, f 
 
 I shot a specimen of what 1 suppose may be the European species in 
 thick and lofty jungle on the Coonoor pass of the Neilgherries, at about 
 5000 feet of elevation — I add a description of my specimen : — Above of a 
 deep clove brown with black reflections, head and back of neck almost 
 black, tail light grey, with 4 broad dark bars on the centre feathers, and 6 
 on the external ones, face and ears dusky, throat white, with a lon<mu- 
 dinal stripe, and a few streaks of dusky black ; breast, abdomen, and thigh 
 coverts, while, numerously and broadly barred with rufous brown, mixed 
 with dusky brown ; under tail coverts pure white ; cere and legs lemon 
 yellow ; irides bright yellow; total length 14J ; wings to end of 4th rjuill 
 7$ ; tail 5- T 8 oths ; tarsus 2 ; middle-toe l- T Vhs ; tarsi ihin, with the ante- 
 rior and posterior scales each of one entire piece; no lateral scales. 
 
 » I have only met with it in the Soonda jungles. where it is taken young by a caste call- 
 ed Halapyks, and sold to falconers from Hyderabad. — W. E. 
 
 t I think the Basha will ultimately turn out to be identical with this. My impression 
 on seeing the Basha in the Gykwari Shikar Khanah at Baroda, was that it was the En"- 
 lish sparrow hawk. It was very like the Ba: io miniature, which I here first identified 
 as the Goshawk.— \\, E. 
 
1S39] of the Peninsula of India. 85 
 
 Genus ASTER.— Goshawk. 
 
 3G. — -A.palumbariuSi — Goshawk, — Baz (female), Joorah (male), H. 
 
 I obtained a specimen, of what I consider as the young male of this 
 bird, sealed on a bough on one of the thick woods of the Neilgberries close 
 to Ootaeamund. I several times afterwards observed a pair of apparent- 
 ly the same bird hunting together near Coonoor, where they had com- 
 mitted several depredations on some pigeons, and I one day siw them 
 make an unsuccessful swoop at a flock of pigeons close to the house. 
 Th sir flight was swifr, similar to that of sparrow-hawks, but at a consider- 
 able height, whence they made a sudden pounce. I add a description 
 of my specimen: — Above of a dark brown; the eyebrows white, and the. 
 feathers of the head, hind neck, and upper part of back narrowly edged 
 with whitish, and with white base; tail of a lighter tint, barred with 4 
 dark bands on centre feathers, and 5 on the rest; beneath, white; on the 
 sides of the breast a cluster of large oval brown spots, and a few others 
 sparingly distributed over the abdomen; the thigh coverts are trans- 
 versely banded with brown; cere aad feet lemon yellow; hides bright 
 yellow; length 16^ inches; wing 8^ to the end of 4th quill; tail beyond 
 4 i, from base 7 ; tarsus 2 T ^ ; feathered in front more than half its length ; 
 middle toe 2 inches; anterior and posterior scales large, transverse ; ex- 
 ternal lateral, small irregul ir. I see by Mr. Elliot's notes that he con- 
 siders the celebrated Baz of India to be identical with the European 
 goskawk. 
 
 Family STRIGIDM.— Otcls. 
 
 Sue Family STRIGIN.&.— Typical owls. 
 
 Genus STRIX, Auct. 
 
 37. — S. Javanica. Horsf. — S flamm 'a, var. ? — Kareya, or Kurail II. — 
 vulgo, Bouree Chooree. — While Owl. 
 
 This has been separated from the European species on account of 
 some slight though permanent deviations of colour, which many do not 
 consider as sufficient to warrant, a specific distinction. As, however, 
 Colonel Sykes has followed Horsfield, I shall also do so. The white 
 owl frequents wooded places, topes, bushy nullahs, and trees, near tanks 
 
86 Catalogue of the Birds [Jult 
 
 and rivers. Though generally spread, it is not very common. It utters 
 a harsh shrill cry at night ; Mr. Elliot in his notes says, "The natives 
 assert that in doing so, drops of blood are forced from its bill, and should 
 any of these fall on the backs of cattle, they become weak in the loins." 
 The chief food of this owl is rats and mice. Whilst at Madura lately, 
 one flew into my room at an open win. low after a rat that was running 
 about, and I secured it alive ; length of one specimen from tip of bill 17 ; 
 (from top of disk 14) wings 12 j tail 5; tarsus 2^ ; middle toe 2£; ex- 
 pansion of wings 3 feet. 
 
 33. — S. Lo?tgimembris. — New species? — S, Javanicn, var. ? 
 
 On the Neilgherries, near Coonoor, in a bushy valley, [obtained a spe- 
 cimen of an owl very similar to the 1 ist, but differing in some structural 
 points, as well as in the shade of plumage. If it should be considered 
 a distinct species it m iy be named as above, from the comparative length 
 of both wings and legs. 
 
 Description.— The ground tint of the plumage is similar to that of 
 £. Javanka, bat lighter or more yellow. The grey tint on the upper 
 plumage of the latter is replaced by a deep brown colour, and the white 
 spots a°e less numerous. Below, the white is much tinted with one- 
 rous, and the brownish red spot on the disk of the common speci !8 is 
 here of a very deep brown. The most important differences, however, 
 are structural, as will be seen by comparing the measurements with thos3 
 
 of the last. 
 
 Total length about \1\ ; of wing Uh ; tail 5\ ; tarsus 3| ; middle toe 
 2\. The wings reach two in shes an 1 more beyon 1 the tail, whilst in 
 Javanica they only reach half an inch or so. A similar spe -ies to this 
 is indicated in Griffith's Cuvier as follows—" Tuidara, owl-S perlata, 
 Licht.— S. Tuidara, n. &c. Like 5. Jlammea, but the legs are longer— 
 Brazil." 
 
 Gencs OTUS, Auct. 
 
 39._0. bracht/otos, Cuv.— Short cared OvL-Chota Ghooghoo, H. 
 
 I have hitherto only obtained this species on the table-land, though 
 I am informed it is also found in the Carnatic and Northern Circarsin 
 B uitable ground. It is not very common-frequents Ion- grass on the 
 open plains, and is occasionally flushed when beating for flonkm. Of 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. 87 
 
 two specimens I possess, one is nearly white below, whilst the other is 
 of a deep ochreous tint throughout. 
 
 40.— S. ? lugubris, Tickell*— -Jour. As Soc. Ben. No. 23—Choghud 
 
 Besruh, H. 
 
 As I have never seen this species of owl I merely place it here pro- 
 visionally. It probably does not belong even to this sub-family, for Mr. 
 Elliot (to whom I am indebted for my knowledge of it as a peninsular 
 species) says, " It seems to belong to the falconine owls, with a short 
 tail, of Cuvier." 
 
 Description. — Above of a uniform dusky brown, beneath whitish, 
 barred with rusty brown like the Besrah — this barring decreases in 
 quantity every year. A white line on the forehead, wings and tail, with 
 dark transverse spots ; bars of the tail five in number, and the latter tipt 
 with white. Irides, large, yellow; cere greyish, fringed with black hairs ; 
 legs greyish, covered with hairs to the toes ; length about 12 inches, 
 breadth 2G. • This owl inhabits hills, rocky and jungly places. Mr. 
 Tickell says, " inhabits the retired parts of the thickest jungle, coming 
 towards the edges and open parts at night. It. is completely nocturnal, 
 and in a calm moonlight night its cries may be heard fo a great distance, 
 resembling strongly those of a strangling cat." Mr. Elliot says, " when 
 seized cries like a child." 
 
 Sub Family ? Sub-tyjricel Group, Sw. 
 
 Genus URRUA, Hodgson.t 
 
 41. — U. Bengalensis. — Ofus Bengalensis, Frankl. and Vig. — Gould. 
 Cent. pi. 3 — Googoo, H. — Common Indian homed Owl. 
 
 This large and handsome owl is the most abundant and most 
 universally spread of the large owls of India. In the Carna- 
 tic the googoo frequents rocky barren hills chiefly, where seve- 
 
 * I have adopted the name given to this species apparently by Lieut. Tickell, of the 
 Bengal army, in an excellent account of a few birds collected by him in the jungles of 
 Borahhum and Dholbhum. It would not I hope be too much to expect from him a full 
 catalogue of the birds of the vast plains of Bengal, and neighbouring countries, arranged 
 according to the modern nomenclature, in which his former list is rather deficient. 
 From this list (published in 1833) he appears highly qualified for the task, and as it is 
 undoubtedly a desideratum, I trust he will be induced to undertake it. 
 1- Journal Asiatic Society Bengal— No, 65. 
 
88 Catalogue of the Birth [July 
 
 ral may often be seen seated even for some hours after sunrise. 
 In the Deccan it frequents rocky ravines, banks of rivers, and 
 holes in the steep sides of the precipitous trap hills — also often 
 found about old buildings, forts and walls. On the Neilgherries it is 
 however generally found in the dense woody glens there. Though 
 partially diurnal, it chiefly preys during the night ; its chief food is rats 
 and lizards, occasionally birds, crabs, and frequently large locusts and 
 mantides. I have at present a pair, mde and female, of this species 
 alive in my possession. Their usual cry is a single, loud, clear and 
 prolonged hoot. I occasionally at night heard them utter a low indis- 
 tinct strangling sort of cry. They vomit bones and feathers in the form 
 of a pellet. When alarmed they hiss, and make a loud snapping noise 
 with their bills. If a dog or other animal approaches, they lower the 
 head almost to the ground, erecting the whole of the feathers of the 
 body, and spreading out their wings to their full extent; these from the 
 stooping position of the bird are nearly vertical, almost touching the 
 ground with their upper e^ge; and from their extent the bird presents 
 a formidable front to an intruder. Their egrets certainly seem con- 
 nected with their exalted sense of hearing, being generally raised 
 whilst in the act of listening. They are also erect during sleep, at 
 which time the wings are also occasionally brought forward. I may 
 here remark that the egrets of this bird are drawn too large in Gould's 
 Century, and besides they are never permanently raised in the position 
 there indicated, being kept much more erect, nearly vertical indeed. 
 
 Genus BULACA, Hodgson, loc. cit.— SCOTIAPTEX, Sw. ? 
 
 42.— B. Sinensis. — S. Sinensis, Gray, Gray and Hardw. 111. I. Z. — S. 
 
 pagodarum, Temm. P. C. — S. stlo-puto, Horsf. — >S. Indranee, 
 
 Sykes ? — Young bird ? 
 
 I have only once observed this very elegantly marked species, which 
 I have referred provisionally to Mr. Hodgson's lately proposed genus. 
 I met it in a tope, and some large single trees, near Verdupettah to the 
 S. of Madura on the Palamcottah road. If, as I suspect, S. pagodarum 
 •dnd.S.selo-puto are identical with this bird, Mr. Gray's specific name 
 must be abandoned. It is an owl of pre-eminent beauty, both as re- 
 gards the shade of the plumage and the softness and delicacy of the 
 markings. 
 
 Length (from top of bill) 21 inches ; of wing 15 ; tail 7f ; tarsus 2£; 
 middle toe 2- T yhs ; irides, deep brown. Has aharsh and dissonant 
 cry at night. 
 
■ 
 
 1.1 
 
 <?7>uAaa //< i -/^/riZ/r:) 
 
 ' 
 
l839 ] of the Peninsula of India. 89 
 
 Genus SCOPS, Sav. 
 
 43.— S. Javanicus, Less.— S. Lempyi, Horsf. ?_ S. nocluIa,Temm ?—I n . 
 dian Scops Owl. 
 
 I procured a single specimen of a small owl, that answers the brief 
 description of Lesson, in the western ghauts near the Pena pass. 
 
 Descriptio».--Above, browaish,varied with ferruginous and blackish. 
 Quill feathers with .he outer webs marked by several st.on-ly defied 
 bars of buff; beneath of a ferruginous tun, finely vermiculated with 
 brownish, and the feathers streaked in the centre with blackish Length 
 (trom tip of bill) 9- wing 6; tail 2f, tarsus T ybs; 4th and 5th quill 
 leathers longest, and the 2d is equal to the 7th. 
 
 Sub Family AETOGLAUCIN^, Hodgson. -Eagle Owls. 
 Genus HUHUA, Hodgson, he. cit. 
 44.— #. pectoralis.— New species *—Ooman, Mai. 
 Description.-^* of a deep sepia brown, having in some lights 
 a golden tmt ; most of the f Khers, especially on the wing courts ter- 
 mis, scapulars and tail, barrel and mottled with light buffi Egrets 
 long, with narrow bars of whitish ; face, ears, rictal and mental bristles 
 silvery grey, very strong and rigid; the frontal feathers also rigid and 
 bristly Beneath, while, feathers barred with brown numerously on the 
 throat, less so .„ the belly and vent, and the bars are larger and take 
 an arrow headed form. A narrow pectoral band of brown, ^hTgohS n 
 tmg., and edged with buff as above. Irides deep brown cere grfenLh 
 yellow ; bill greenish-horn, with a tina e f flJh ,«i \ e g le enisH 
 dish yellow. ° fl ^ Sh C010U1 '' t0CS dirt y 1>ed - 
 
 Thoughlhave pla;ed th . s b . rd ^^ Mr Ho 
 Huhua, with winch it agrees in some of the most important cha 
 racters, especially in its large and lengthened bill, CTL£ 
 short stout and feathered tarsi, strong toes, and immense 2' 
 yet U drffers in the fo.lowing respects: the bill i s hard.y st u ' 
 ened beyond .he cere, it has an obsolete festoon ,1,/ 
 P-tially covered with brist.es, which e eld 1 e wholeT 7 
 ot the bill; the 5th and 6th quills are Ion"" and s b 1 ^ 
 
30 
 
 Catalogue of the Birds [Jw* 
 
 -wise is rather larger than the* outer fore ; the toes are nearly covered 
 "by bristly feathers, an 1 thare are 3 large scales on each of the toes 
 next the talons. These differences, however, probably only entitle this 
 bird to rank as an aberrant species, or it may be as a sub-genus. Length, 
 23 inches; wing I6&; tail 8£ ; tarsus 2; mid toe 3 ; inner 3£. 
 
 'I have hitherto only found this powerful and splendid owl in the 
 dense and lofiy forests of Malabar. It is chiefly nocturnal, issuing forth 
 to die more open spaces about dusk. I was informed by an intelligent 
 native that it feeds on various mammalia, and also on fish, and that it 
 will dive to some depth for these. The stomach of the only specimen I 
 pro sured was empty. It had just perched on a large palmyra palm over- 
 lookraga tank It utters a low moaning cry at intervals. Should it 
 prove undescribed, it may be named as above, from the marked pectoral 
 
 band. 
 
 Genus CULTRUNGUIS, Hodgson.— Kelupa, Less. 
 
 45.— C. Leschtnauliii.—Ketupa Leschentu'tli, Less.— Temm. P. C. 20. 
 
 — S. Hardwickii, Gray, Gray an 1 Hardw. 111. L Z i-Amrai lea 
 
 Googoo, H. — Large ho- ned wood Old. 
 I have here adopted Mr. Hodgson's excellent an 1 classical name, 
 though that of M. Lesson has the priority, not more on account of hw 
 accurate generic definition, than from the excellent composition of the 
 word.* This powerful bird is generally spread throughout India, though 
 far from being common. It frequents chiefly the more wooded districts, 
 though als > found in topes an 1 av mues in open country. It is partially 
 diurnal. Its voice is a loud and harsh hollow laugh. I know nothing 
 of its food. Mr. Hod-son says that the genus is piscivorous, and thus 
 the analogvofits feet au 1 legs with those of Pond-on are beautifully 
 explained? The markings of the species figured as S. Hardwiekii in 
 Gray and Hardwicke's Illustration*, appear not to differ from those of our 
 present subject, and I suspect the senttlla.ion of the tarsi there repre- 
 sented is an embellishment of the native artist, most probably, and that 
 this must therefore stand as a synonyme. 
 
 • It ia I think, much to be regretted that Mr. Hodgson, who in this and other instances 
 has shewn his talent in the formation of classically compounded words, should in general 
 adopt unmeaning (to most readeis) and cacophonous generic names from the vernacular 
 dialect of Nepal. 
 
1839} of the Pe?iinsula of India. 91 
 
 Sub Family . — Hawk Owls. 
 
 Genus NOCTUA, Sav.— Hodgson.— Althene of recent authors.— Nycti- 
 
 petes, Sw. 
 
 I shall here retain for the present the generic name ofNictua, though 
 it has been properly objected to that it had been previously applied to a 
 genus of moths. 
 
 46. — ZV. cuculoides, Vig. — Gould Cent. pi. 4. — Jungle* choghud, H. — 
 Jungle Hawk Owl. 
 
 This very handsomely plumaged little owl is said in Goulds's Cen- 
 tury to be " supposed to be confined to the Himalayas." I hav^ found 
 it wherever there is lofty jungle. In Goomsoor, on the eastern side; and 
 on the west, in Travancore and Malabar, where it is by no means rare. 
 
 It frequents loftv trees and flies about actively in the day time, at least 
 when disturbed ; I have generally found it single, rarely in small flocks. 
 It feeds on various large insects, chiefly coleopterous. 
 
 t Irides golden yellow; bill and legs greenish horn colour. Length 9 
 inches ; wing 5; tail 3 ; tarsus T 6 - ihs ; mid toe 1 j. 
 
 47.— N. Jyidica, Prankl.— S. brama, Tern. P. C. 68—C?og7>ud, H.— 
 Peenglah, Mali. — Little shotted Owl— Divining Owl. 
 
 This little owl is extremely abundant in Southern India (more so, par- 
 ticularly in the Carnatic, I think, than in the Deccan), and is often very 
 annoying from its familiar and noisy habits. It generally roosts during the 
 day in large trees, but frequently also in the caves of houses or under the 
 roof, and though it is most active and noisy during the night time, feed- 
 ing then, yet it is often very noisy during the d.iy, uttering its harsh 
 squabble, three or four joining in chorus at the same lime. Its usual cry 
 is something like ' juk ljuhl jukV , repeated very quickly. 
 
 About sunset it usually sallies forth from its roosting place to feed; its 
 chief food is beetles and other insects, but it occasionally captures mice. 
 It takes insects sometimes on the wing, or snaps one off the ground or 
 the trunk of a tree, during its low undulating flight, which is general- 
 ly short, but at times prolonged to some distance over the plain. 
 
 In some parts of the country it is supposed to have the power of divi- 
 nation. 
 
 (To be continued.") 
 
234 
 
 Catalogue of Birds [Oct. 
 
 II.— Catalogue of the Birds of the Peninsula of India, arranged ac- 
 cording to the modern system of Classification ; with brief Notes on 
 their Habits and Geographical Distribution, and description of new, 
 doubtful and imperfectly described Species :—By T. C. Jerdon, Assis- 
 tant Surgeon, 2d Madras Light Cavalry. 
 
 {Continued from No. 24 page 91.) 
 
 Supplement to Raptores. — By Walter Elmot, Esq. 
 
 Since the publication of the first portion of Mr. Jerdon's Catalogue, I 
 have been enabled to add another beautiful accipitrine bird to his list. 
 It belongs to Genus Nisjetos, Hodgson ; and should fellow immediately 
 after A'. Niveus ? No. 12 in the Catalogue. 
 
 12i. N. CristateUa, Temm. PI. Col. p. 2s2 — Shah Baz, H. 
 
 Adult male of 1st year— Total length 24 inches ; length of tail, ll r Vi 
 of bill, straight to gape, 1 T \ ; targus from the angle of the outer jend 
 to the sole 4 T 4 5 ths ; central digit 2; do. claw l T yh ; hind digit ) ,-- r ths ; 
 do. claw l- 4 -j of wing closed lti indies; two central crest feathers,4; two 
 next, 2\: colour brown; beneath, brown intermixed with white; each 
 feather heing brown with a white edge, which increases with succeisive 
 moultings until the brown is reduced to a mere line. Crest dark hr>wn, 
 approaching to black. Quills barred transversely with darker brawn. 
 Tail with 4 well defined bands, the last forming the tip, and an inper- 
 fect one near the base making a fifth. Feathers of the tarsi with a slight 
 fawn tinge spotted with brown. 
 
 Sits on the tops of the highest trees, on the watch for hares, per- fowl, 
 jungle-fowl, on which it swoops from its elevated perch. Sditary. 
 Shot in the Rampoor jungle, inland from Nellore, at the foot of tie eas- 
 tern ghats. 
 
 I have now before me a living specimen of the species distingiishel 
 as Nisalos Nivens, and two skins of the same bird. The con 
 dimensions of an adult male of several moultings are — total length, 26 
 inches ; length of tail II ; of bill, straight to gape, 2 ; tarsus, from the 
 angle of the outer bend to the sole, 4 ; central digit 2 T 4 o ths ; Jo. 
 claw l T *o tus 5 nin(i d'gi 1 l To tns 5 d°' claw lio ths ! win o clos'd IS 
 weight 3-1 b. 13| drs. 
 
 The Mhorungee is not crested. It is stronger and altogetha* more 
 powerful than the Shah Baz. Tarsus shorter; talons more pwerful. 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. 235 
 
 Beneath whiter, because older, the brown being reduced to the shafts of 
 the feathers only. Tail with 7 bars, the last forming a broad dark band 
 at the tip, the others narrower, indistinct, particularly those next the tip. 
 Quills dark brown, not banded. Cere and legs, pale yellow ; bill plum- 
 beous at the base, black at the tip. 
 
 There is little doubt this is a new species. Temminck's bird is only 
 25 inches, and the wings have a band, and the tips of the quills brown. 
 
 In habits it differs much from the last, seeking its prey more frequent- 
 ly on the wing, hunting in pairs and stooping on hares, pea-fowl, &c. 
 
 The living one was caught at the rocky mountain of Awulkondah in 
 the Arcot district, where a pair of them were used to resort, by baiting 
 some falconer's springes with a fowl, on which they both descended. 
 One was caught in the snares, the other alighted on a tree in the neigh- 
 bourhood and was shot. The female measures 28 inches in length. 
 
 Order II. INSESSORES. 
 
 Tribe DENTIROSTRES. 
 
 Family LANIADiE.— Shrikes. 
 
 Sub Family LANIAD^E.— True Shrikes. 
 
 Genus LANIUS, Auct. — Colltjrio, Vig. — Shri/ce ox Butcher Bird. 
 
 48. — L, Hardwickii. — Coll. Hardwickii, Vig — Gould Cent. — Pech- 
 anuk, H. — Bay backed Shrike. 
 
 This handsome little shrike is the most abundant of the Indian spe- 
 cies, anil is tolerably common in every part except the West Coast. It 
 frequents gardens, hedges and cultivated ground, but chiefly delights in 
 low, thorny, but open, jungle — feeds on locusts, grasshoppers, and also 
 on small birds. 
 
 Bill black — Irides hazel brown; length about eight inches; tail nearly 
 four. 
 
 49. L. lahtora. — Coll. lahtora, Sykes. — L. exeubitor, var. C. Lath. — 
 Doodliea latora, II. — Large grey Shrike. 
 
 Generally spread, except on the Western Coast, where it occurs rarely, 
 
236 Catalogue of Birds C 0cT - 
 
 if at all— more abundant on the table land than below the ghauts— fre- 
 quents open baubul jungle, or single trees on the open plain, or culti- 
 vated ground. Seldom approaches villages or cantonments, as the last 
 does, but has the same h.bits and food. 
 
 Irides hazel brown— bill and legs black-length 9§ inches ; tail 5. 
 
 50. L. erylhronotus.—Coll. erythronotus, Yig.—Latora, H.— Rufous- 
 backed Shrike. 
 
 This shrike is a rare bird in the Carnatic, less so in the Deccan, com- 
 mon on the West Coast, an I most abundant on the Neilgberries. It pre- 
 fers a more woo led country than the two last species— frequents low 
 bushy ground or open spaces in the jungle, and has similar manners and 
 food to others of the genus. 
 
 Length iO inches ; tail -H i irides hazel brown— bill and legs black. 
 
 51. L. nigriceps.—Coll. nigriceps, Frank.— Black hend--d Shrike. 
 
 I have hitherto only observed this species in Goomsoor, perched on 
 trees, at the edges of thick jungle. 
 
 Irides deep brown— length 10£ inches ; tail 5. 
 
 Sub Family DICRURINiE. 
 Gkx. TEPHRODORNIS, Swainson. 
 
 1 think that this genus rather belongs to the Thamnophilina:, or bush 
 shrikes, judging from its manners ; but as Swainson looks upon it as the 
 union of the two families, it may retain its place among the « swallow 
 shrikes.' 
 
 52. T. Sylvieola.—Nen sp.t—Pharee Latora, U.—Junjle wood 
 shrike. 
 
 This apparently undescribed species inhabits the dense and lofty 
 foressof the Western Coast and ghauts. I have found it on the Coonoor 
 pass, as high as 5000 feet. It climbs and hops about the larger boughs 
 of trees, seeking for and picking insects of various kinds, but chiefly 
 coleopterous, off the bark.and occasionally making a swoop at one it has 
 
183f) ] of the Peninsula of India. 237 
 
 spied on a branch at a short distance. Seen singly, or in small flocks, 
 when they generally keep up a noisy and harsh chattering. 
 
 Descr.— Above, slaty cinereous— an eyeband, extending from nostrils 
 to half an inch behind the eye, black-rump and beneath white, the 
 breast with a tinge of reddish cinereous-wings and tail dusky brown 
 Length 8* inches ; tail 3£ ; wing 4f ; tarsus A th. ; bill (to gape) 
 l T yhs;irides greenish or wax yellow. 
 
 53. T. superciliosus, Sw.—Lan. muscicapoides, Pnnkl.— £ Kercula 
 
 Gray-Gray and Hardwicke, 111. Ind. Zool. (bad figure).- Cammed 
 wood shriLe. 
 
 This species has been lately accurately described by Swainson,* but 
 without the synonymes, of whichhewasprobablvunaware. Ft is ffenerally 
 
 spread. hroughout Southern India, but in no place abundant, though it is 
 far from being rare in some parts of the country. 1 have seen if most nu- 
 merous in Goomsoor, and in theWul liar jungle (in the gap of Coimbatore). 
 Colonel Sykes says it is rare in the Decean-this is to be expected, from 
 the bareness of the country. Though never found in dense jungle like 
 the preceding one, .he wood shrike is found in open jungle, in open 
 spaces on the borders of thick forests, woody nullahs, topes, avenues, 
 and even thick hedges occasionally. It has similar habits with the last ; 
 slowly traversing the branches of the trees it frequents in search of in- 
 sects, chiefly coleoptera. Like it n' so it, hunts i n small flocks, or singly 
 Length 6i inches; wing 3* ; tail 2|.-Irides greenish wax yellow%s 
 in the last). 
 
 Gen. OCYPTERUS, Cuv.— Swallow Shrike. 
 54. O. leucorhynchos.— Ash-coloured Swallow Shrike. 
 
 Appears to be universally spread over India ; but is by no means com- 
 mon, and I have had very few opportunities of observing it. It prefers a 
 wooded country, and alwajsl believe tak.g its f.,«d, which consists chief, 
 fy of soft winged insects, in the air. r saw a flock once flvingover an open 
 space in the Wulliar jungle like swallows; again rear Palamcottah, in a 
 palmyra tope, a small flock of them, one every now and then darting 
 
 • TwoCentenaries and a Quarter oj Birds, either new, or hitherto imperfectly described -Ani- 
 mail in Menageries, Part 3, No. 9 -.-Lanlner's Cabinet Cycl. 
 
238 Catalogue of Birds [Oct. 
 
 from its perch on the lop of a palm-tree.and making a short circuit in the 
 air after insects, reseating itself, though not generally on the some tree. 
 On another occasion I saw it in Travancofe skimming over the surface 
 of a tank, and returning to rest on a low hough over-hanging the water. 
 Its flight is rapid, elegant, and remarkably like that of the swallow. 
 
 Length about 7 inches : wing 5; tail 2 ^thsj bill light cinereous, 
 darker at tip ; legs slate colour. 
 
 Gen. DICRURUS, Vieill.— Enonus, Cuv. 
 
 Drongo Shrike. -Fork tailed Shrike.— King Crow of Europeans in 
 India. 
 
 55. D. baUcassms, Vieill.— Common King Croiv.—Kohah or Bojunga, 
 H. —Sometimes also called " Cotual." 
 
 This is the most common and abundant species of Dicrurus, and is to 
 he met with in every part of the country, and inhabits alike the open 
 country and wooded districts, but is never found in dense jungle. The 
 king crow may he seen perched on a tree or hedge, the top of a low 
 bush on the plain, or a stack of grain- frequently also on the top of 
 a wall or old building, the hank of a paddy-field, or even a clod 
 of earth. or ant hill— and it is by no means uncommon to see one on the 
 back of cattle, sheep or goats.wlrile grazing. From this perch it watches 
 eagerly for the stirring of an insect below— on observing one, flies rapidly 
 to the spot, and, generally alighting for an instant on the ground, seizes 
 j ts prey— frequently however the devoted grasshopper, or other insect, 
 being also on the look-out, makes an attempt to escape, but is closely 
 pursued by the king-crow, who either snaps it up on the wing or just as 
 it has alighted. Having secured it, the holsa flies "off generally, but not 
 always to its former perch, devours it at leisure, ami then uttering its 
 u ual civ is again ready for a fresh capture. Such is the usual mode of 
 ng of this bird. It very frequently, however, captures various mall 
 insects on the wing, from the top of a tree or some lofty branch, some- 
 times ascending almost perpendicularly for several feet— occasionally 
 whips one off a blade of grain, or from the surface of a pool of water. 
 On the issuing of the winged termites from a nest in a hedge row, or 
 near the bottom of a tree, there are generally several assembled to par- 
 take of the feast, together with the crows and minas. This bird gets its 
 popular name of king-crow from its general habit of following crows 
 most clamorously and persevering, every now and then pouncing 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. 235 
 
 down on them, though it seldom strikes. It pursues kites and Various 
 other birds also,whence one of its common Hindostanee names {cotwal). 
 In the bare Deccan I have often seen one or two king-crows high in the 
 air, traversing the country, but apparently not hunting. 
 
 The usual cry of this shrike is a sort of crow or chuckle, succeeded 
 by two or three sweeter notes, but it has several other cries. It is 
 the first bird whose song is heard in the morning, often long be- 
 fore sunrise, and sometimes on moonlight nights throughout the whole 
 night. Its flight is in general undulating, not very rapid, performed 
 with few flappings ; but when it exerts itself after a crow or other bird, 
 it is capable of great speed, and always overtakes its enemy with ease. 
 It occurs singly or in small families. I once found its nest, in the month 
 of August, in the Carnatic, situated in the fork of a banian t ? ee, at a 
 moderate elevation— it was composed of twigs and roots, carelessly put 
 together, and without any lining, and contained three eggs, white, spar- 
 ingly spotted with purplish red. Its chief food is grasshoppers of 
 various kinds, also bees, moths and other insects, chiefly coleopterous. 
 Mr. Elliot in his notes says, it migrates from the Southern Mahratta 
 Country during the monsoon. In the Carnatic I never observed any 
 diminution in its numbers at any season, but in the northern part of the 
 Deccan (at Jaulnah) it certainly becomes much more rare at that time, 
 and indeed is hardly met with. The kolsa is occasionally tamed, and 
 will perch on the head or hand of its master, and fly down after a grass- 
 hopper or other insect. 
 
 Length 12 inches; tail 6£; wing5f; 4th quill perceptibly larger 
 than the 3d and 5th, which are about equal—tarsus a little more than 
 -^ of an inch. 
 
 56. Z>. ccerulescens, Vieill-Lan. Fingal, Shw.-E. leucogasler.— 
 Pharee Bojunga, H..~White bellied Mng-crow. 
 
 This species appears to be generally spread, but no where plentiful. 
 It frequents open though lofty jungle, and well wooded districts, but is 
 occasionally met with in topes and avenues in the Deccan and Carnatic. 
 I have seen it most numerous in theWulliar jungle, and the Segour pass 
 of the Neilgherries, where I found it at a considerable elevation. It 
 almost always captures its insect prey on the wing (sometimes however 
 picks one off the ground) ; it perches near the top of a high tree, whence 
 it pounces on its prey generally at no great distance. It has a sweet 
 
040 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 song, not to be compared, however, to that of one of the genus hereafter 
 mentioned. Irides blood-red. 
 
 Length 9^; tail nearly 5; wing 4?; tarsus nearly T V> much 
 ■weaker than that of balicassius. 
 
 57. D. Maeroeercus, Vieill. ? 
 
 This is tbe rarest of all the Indian Dicruri. I have hitherto only seen 
 it in the Segour pass, and on the summit of the Neilgherries, in both 
 places on lofty and tolerably dense jungle. I observed it in the former 
 place sallv from its perch near the summit of a lofty tree, and make a 
 considerable circuit, apparently capturing several insects, and then re- 
 seating itself on some other tree. Several bird- were thus engaged 
 together, though at some distance from each other, and returning sepa- 
 rately each to its own perch. In this respect it makes a nearer ap- 
 proach than any other Indian species to the manner of the African 
 Drougo shrikes, as described by Le Vaillant, hunting in flocks like swal- 
 lows," and mentioned by Swainson as being the general habits of the 
 genus. Flight of this species similar to that of balicassius, but more 
 rapid and elegant. 
 
 As I cannot be certain of this being the species indicated by Vieillot, 
 I add a description. Above, glossy bluish black— beneath, dusky, black- 
 ish, with a faint gloss of bluish ; wings and tail brownish black, with a 
 faint gloss of bluish also— under tail coverts (in my specimen) edged 
 with white— bill and feet black— bill more depressed than in balicassius, 
 somewhat similar to that of D. carulescens, but differs also from that. 
 
 Length nearly 11 inches; tail very nearly 5£ ; wing 5; tarsus about 
 half an inch; tail feathers more slender than in either balicassius or 
 ccerulescens. The chief peculiarity of this species is its short and 
 feeble tarsus and foot. . 
 
 58. D. arneus, Vieill.— D. museipetoides, Hodgs.— Bronzed Drougo 
 Shrike. 
 
 This species is always found in the most dense and lofty jungle. I 
 have only seen it in the forests of the Western Coast, and have met it at 
 an elevation of 4000 feet. It is generally found in small parties— sta- 
 tions itself near the top of some lofty tree, whence it makes frequent 
 short sallies after insects, exactly like the flycatchers, and returns gene- 
 rally to the same branch. It sings most charmingly, being perhaps 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. 241 
 
 only surpassed by the Gryllivora longicauda. Its food consists of 
 various insects, both hard and soft winged. The name of Muscipe- 
 toides, given by Mr. Hodgson (Indian Review No. viii), is pecu- 
 liarly appropriate, as well from the form of the bill, which is weak 
 and highly depressed, as from the similarity of its habits to those of the 
 flycatchers ; and, if there is any doubt as to its being the ceneus of 
 Vieillot, should be adopted at once. 
 
 Length 9 to 9| inches; tail 4£ ; wing 4f ; tarsus h inch ; irides dark 
 brown ; bill and legs black. 
 
 59. D. retifer.—Lan. Malabaricus, Shaw. — Bherm or Bhring raj 
 
 H. — Ka'e-ongal, Mahr. — Racket tailed Drougo ShriJce. 
 
 This splendid bird is tolerably abundant in many of the lofty jungles 
 of the west of India, both above and below the ghauts, it being very plen- 
 tiful in the Wynaud district. It appears to wander more in search of 
 its food than other of the Dicruri, flying from tree to tree at no creat 
 elevation, making an occasional swoop at an insect on the wing, or whip- 
 ping one off a branch ; frequently, however, it feeds like its congeners 
 from a fixed station. 
 
 It generally hunts singly or in pairs, occasionally, however.it is seen in 
 small parties. Its food is chiefly large coteopterous insects, also large 
 bees and wasps. It has a very peculiar cry, consisting of two parts, the 
 first a sort of harsh chuckle, ending in a peculiar metallic sound, some- 
 thinglike the creaking of a heavy wheel. Mr. Elliot says on this sub- 
 ject " its general note is a deep sonorous cry something like tse-rung, 
 tse-rung, tse-rung." It has many other notes besides this ; all of which 
 however, have more or less clangor or metallic sound. I have seen it 
 pursue a bird of prey (Ilcs/natornis nndulatus, Gould) in the same man- 
 ner as the common king-crow. It moults about September. Although it 
 chiefly inhabits lofty jungles, I have seen it in comparatively low jungle, 
 a nd I am informed that it often enters gardens in the cantonment of 
 Cannanore. The Bhnrm-raj is occasionally taken and tamed : it used to 
 be very frecpiently in former days, and sold for a very high price at Hy- 
 derabad. It is said to imitate the notes of all other birds, and hence is 
 also called the ' Huzar Dustan,' or bird of a thousand tales. 
 
 Length to end of true tail, 14 inches ; length of ordinary tail 65; 
 long tail feathers beyond 12, or more, even ; irides dark hazel brown 5 
 wing6|; tarsus ,« or nearly an inch; bill and legs black. 
 
242 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 Sub Family CEBLEPYRIN.E, Swainson.— Caterpillar catchers. 
 
 Genus CEBLEPYRIS, Cuv.— Spiny rumped Shrike. 
 
 60. — C. Papuensis. — Grauculus Papue7isis, Temm. — Large spine rump. 
 
 This bird prefers well wooded situations, though not a denizen of 
 thick jungle ; hence is most abundant in the Western Coast. It is also 
 found in the other ports of India in topes, avenues, palm groves, and oc- 
 casionally even enters gardens. It lives partly on insects, chiefly man- 
 tides, gry Hi, caterpillars, and soft insects, which it searches for among 
 the foliage of large trees; and partly on fruit, especially the fig of the 
 banian tree. It is rather a shy and wary bird ; flying before you from 
 tree to tree, uttering, as it alights, two or three rather sweet and mellow 
 notes : but it has al*o a very harsh rattling scream. It flies in an undu- 
 lating manner, with few vibrations of its wings. Its flesh is eaten and 
 esteemed by some of the natives. 
 
 hides fine lake red; length about 12 inches; of wing Gh ; tail 5j 
 tarsus nearly an inch. 
 
 61. — C. fimbria t us, Temm. — Smaller spine rump. 
 
 This, like the last species, is most abundant in woody country, and 
 therefore on the West Coast, but is also found in the other parts of the 
 country in avenues or thick hedges, gardens, &c. It is to be met with 
 at all seasons on the Western Coast, but I think only repairs to the 
 Carnatic (I speak particularly of the country about Trichinopoly), afier 
 the commencement of the rainy season there, in October or November: 
 at all events itis much more numerous then. This spine rump hunts sin- 
 gly, or in small families of both sexes, flying from tree to tree, slowly and 
 carefully examining the foliage, prying searchinglyall around, and un- 
 der the leaves, to discover a suitable morsel. It continues its search 
 hopping, flying from branch to branch, till the tree has been well in- 
 spected, when the flock flies off together to another tree. Its favourite 
 food is caterpillars, pupse, grubs, and soft insects, but also ants and co- 
 leopterous insects. My specimen, both of male and female, correspond 
 pretty exactly with the description in Lesson ' Manuel d' Omithlogie.' 
 The females appear much more numerous than the males, but this may 
 partly be accounted for by the young males being clothed in the fe- 
 male garb. 
 
J 839] of the Peninsula of India. 243 
 
 Irides reddish dark brown; length about 7h inches : of wing 4; tail 3; 
 •sus about T Vhs. B > J 
 
 tar 
 
 62— C. Cawws. 
 
 I have not hitherto been fortunate enough to meet with this species of 
 spine rump, and there is such a contrariety of description in the published 
 accounts I have met with, that I wish Colonel Sykes had given a de. 
 scription of his species, which I suspect after all only to be the adult male 
 of the last. 
 
 Genus PHCENICORNIS, Sw.—lled bird. 
 
 63.— Ph, princeps, Vig.— Gould Cent.— Large red bird. 
 
 I shot one specimen of this splendid bird in adense and lofty jungle in 
 Goomsoor, hopping about the upper branches of high trees, and only 
 once again observed it. At this time, which was just before the com- 
 mencement of the hot season, and when insects were least abundant it 
 descended to the ground to pick up an insect, and returned immediately. 
 This habit, I, on several occasions about the same time, saw resorted to 
 by other birds, from whose usual manners it was equally foreign, viz. 
 true flycatchers (M. Bamjumas and M. Melanops) ; on the same tree was 
 a grey and yellow bird of the same size, which, judging from analogy, 
 was the female. In the stomach of the one I killed were the remains of 
 various insects chiefly coleopterous. 
 
 Length of my specimen 9 inches; of wing 4 JLths ; tail 4; tarsus 
 nearly T yhs. 
 
 This splendid species differs from P.flammevs, which sometimes 
 nearly approaches it in size, in the length of the wing and tarsus, as 
 well as in the infinitely richer hue of the red. 
 
 64. P. Brevirostris, Vig.— Gould's Cent.— Short billed red bird. 
 
 I was also fortunate enough to meet with this well marked and dis- 
 tinct species in Goomsoor, and procured three individuals, an adult male 
 a young male and a female. It had the same manners as the last, fre- 
 quenting the tops of high trees— on one occasion, however, I observed 
 a flock of the females hunting together over a thick hedge. In the 
 stomach of those I killed fragments of coleopterous insects only were 
 observed. 
 
244 Catalogue of the Birds {.Oct. 
 
 The short billed red bird has been most justly separated from P. 
 flammeus, as well from its deeper shade of plumage as from various 
 structural points of difference. The female does not differ from that of 
 P. flammeus, except in the structural points, and a somewhat duller 
 shade of yellow. The youngmale I possess has the grey upper plu- 
 mage of the female — beneath white with a reddish tinge, and the red 
 marks on the wings and tail nearly developed, 
 
 Lengths inches; tail 4; wing 3£; tarsus less than -% of an 
 inch; feet much smaller than P. flammeus. I see that Swainson sup- 
 poses this species to be synonymous with P. miniata. 
 
 Go. P. flammeus. — Muse, flammea, A net. — Pharee Boolal Ckusm 
 H. — Common red bird. 
 
 This species of red bit I bundant in mist of the lofty 
 
 jungles of the Western Coast — both above an 1 below the ghauts ; and I 
 have seen it as high as 5000 feet on the Coonoor ghaut of the Neil- 
 gherries. It is, I think, more abundant on the table land of the Wynaad, 
 than in most other places I have observed it in. It is a restless bird, 
 wandering from tree to tree, examining the loftiest branches in search of 
 various insects and their larvae, which constitute its favourite food. It is 
 either found singly or in small parties of three or four, and the sexes 
 are generally seen apart from each other. 
 
 Irides dark brown; length 8 to SI inches; of wing, 3 T " ; tail 
 3J to 4; tarsus not quite tV 
 
 C>G. Phamicornis peregriuus, Vig. — Gould Cent. — Parus peregrinus, 
 A net. — Boolal Ckusm, II. — Small red bud. 
 
 This pretty and lively little bird is more numerously and extensively 
 spread than anv of its congeners, and is to be found in most woody 
 situations even in the dry Caruatic, in jungle and in thick hedges and 
 avenues occasionally, and in some of the larger topes in the Deccan it 
 may also be occasionally seen. It is, however, most abundant on the 
 West Coast. It is a restless and active little creature, ever engaged in 
 diligently examining the extreme branches of trees, gleaning among the 
 foliage, and hanging from the slender twigs like a titmouse. It feeds 
 upon various larvae (which are its favourite food) and small insects. 
 Irides brown; length G inches ; of tail 3. 
 
1839 3 °f the Peninsula of India. 245 
 
 Fam. MERULID^.— Thrushes, 
 Sub-Pa*. BBACHYPODINA-jiort fc^erf tfnufe* or Bulbuls, 
 Gen. H YPSEPETES, Vig.-Drougo or black Bulbul. 
 
 67.— II. Ganeesa, Sykes Cat. No. 49. 
 
 I have not yet been fortunate enough to meet with this bird (which I 
 see has been lately figured in Jardine's Illustrations of Ornithology, new 
 series No. 1), so transcribe part of Colonel Sykes' account. « Flight 
 very rapid, found only in the dense woods of the ghauts, stony fruit 
 found in the stomach." 
 
 63.-//. Neilgherriensis.^New species.-//, psaroides, Vig.-Gould 
 Cent. H. K.—Neilgherry Black Bulbul. 
 
 This species of Hypiepete,, though very strongly allied to the Hima- 
 layan species, I am inclined to consider distinct, 'as it varies perma- 
 nently in size and some markings. 
 
 Descr.-lt has the same glossy black lanceolate feathers of head and 
 hind neck, the same grey tint of the body, and blackish tail , but differs 
 in having the quills entirely black, instead of being grey, tipped only 
 With black; wants the small black streak running back from the eye, 
 and has the under tail coverts edged with white 
 
 Length about 10 inches; of wing 5; tail A ; tarsus «. bill 
 and legs orange red; hides brownish red. 
 
 If new, it may be named as above from its locality, or it might be nam- 
 ed Atrtpenms, in contradistinction to the Himalayan species it so 
 
 o/theNeT ' l *"K**«*«***™* "-Wrd on the summit 
 of he Nedghemes, ,n the dense woods of which it is very abundant 
 t hves m small flocks, feeding on various berries and fruit, geneX on 
 th top of t r on no occasion fonud ;my but fruu Qf 
 
 kind., but chiefly .tony, i„ its stomach. It usually keeps up a lively 
 
 and agreeable warbling, which it continues during its occasional flight 
 
 from one tree or patch of wood to another. Its flight is undulating, and 
 
 no veryrap.d. Its manners on die whole much resemble those of the 
 
 bulbuls, with which they have been classed, and justly so, I think by 
 avvmson. ^ 
 
24G Catalogue of the Birds tOcr. 
 
 Genus BRACHYPUS, Swainson. 
 
 Go.— B. rubineus.— New species. — Inos coneolor, Temm.?—ltuby 
 throated Bulbul. 
 
 This species approaches in colour the Tardus dispar, Horsf. (or T. con- 
 color, of Temm. P. C. 137), a native of Java, but appears, from the de- 
 scription I possess, to be distinct, and if so may be named as above. 
 I have only met with the ruby throated bulbul in the forests of Mala- 
 o ! even here it is rare ; it frequents the more open spaces of the 
 jungle, and generally prefers thickets in the- neighbourhood of waters. 
 It lives in small families, is sprightly and active, hopping about the smal- 
 ler hi «n -lies of trees, uttering now and then its pleasant twitter, much 
 in the manner of the common crested bulbuls. It lives on various fruit 
 
 and berries. 
 
 Deter.— Head and cheeks pure glossy black; plumage above yellow- 
 ish green; chin spot black ; throat of a beautiful shining ruby red; the 
 feathers much divided and somewhat bristly ; rest of the plumage be- 
 neath yellow: quills with a tinge of dusky on their inner webs; feathers 
 of the back loose and discomposed; irides light yellow; bill black; legs 
 greenish dusky. Length about 6| inches ; of wing 3 ; tail 2| ; tarsus ra- 
 ther more than £ an inch. 
 
 70. B. priocephalus.—Ncw species. — White eyed Bulbul. 
 Descr.— Crown of head, occiput and throat bluish grey— forehead 
 siskin green. Backwings and beneath, oil green, lighter towards the 
 vent. Rump feathers light yellowish green, broadly streaked with black, 
 as in • B. entilotus,' Jard. Tail, with centre feathers greenish, broadly 
 edged with grey, lateral do. black, also broadly terminated with light 
 grey. Under tail coverts light grey; irides bluish white; bill and legs 
 of a green horn colour; length 7 inches; wing 3; tail 1 \\ ; 
 tarsus about half an inch. 
 
 I only once saw and obtained a specimen of this bird near the foot of 
 the Peril pass in Malabar. Its manners and food are similar to the 
 last. It very much resembles in colouring a new species lately figured 
 in Jardine's New Ser. of 111. of Ornith. B. entilotus, an inhabitant of 
 Malacca, especially in the markings of the rump feathers, but is less, 
 aud otherwise varies. Stony fruit found in its stomach. 
 
1839.] of the Peninsula of India. 247 
 
 Gen. CHLOROPSIS, Jard. and Selby.— Emerald or green Bulbul. 
 
 71. C. Aurifrons, Jard. and Selby. — T. Malabaricus. — C. Sonnerat^ 
 Jard. female. — Golden fronted green Bulbul. 
 
 I have only found this elegant species in the forests of Malabar and 
 other parts of the West Coast. On the Coonoor pass I have seen it 
 above 4000 feet high. It hops «nd flies actively about the branches of 
 trees, frequently at no great height, and lives on both fruits and insects, 
 chiefly the latter,which it seizes on the branches or leaves. It is gene- 
 rally found in pairs or singly, occasionally three or four together. Irides 
 light yellowish brown; bill blackish ; legs cinereous. 
 
 The female, which either appears to be undescribed, or to be the 
 C. Sonnerati? of the proposers of this well marked genus, differs from 
 the male in wanting the golden forehead, and in the black gorget and 
 blue maxillary streak, being somewhat smaller. Bill rather more 
 lengthened than in next species. Length 7£ to 8 inches; wing 3 r \; 
 tail nearly 3; female somewhat smaller. 
 
 72. C, Cochensinensis. — Melliphaga Javanica, Horsf. — Common 
 green Bulbul. 
 
 This species is much more generally dispersed than the former one, 
 being found wherever there is thick or lofty jungle. I have seen it in 
 Goomsoor, and the Tapoor pass on the eastern side of India, and it is far 
 from being uncommon on the West Coast, even in wooded cultivated 
 ground and gardens. Its habits are similar to the last. I have seen it, 
 while feeding on insects, take an occasional flight of a foot or two, to 
 secure an insect that was attempting to escape. Its most usual food 
 however, is fruit of different kinds. As there appears to be some doubt 
 of the plumage of both sexes, I shall here briefly describe their differ- 
 ences. 
 
 Male, with chin, throat and gorge deep black, surrounded by a green- 
 ish yellow band, which extends through the eyes to the forehead — max- 
 illary streak, hyacinth blue. 
 
 Female, with parts black in male of a light bluish green, surrounded 
 (as in the male) with the yellowish band — maxillary streak light azure. 
 Length 7\ inches ; wing 3 \ ; tail 2f. Irides light brown ; bill dusky ; 
 legs cinereous. 
 
248 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 Genus IORA, Horsf. 
 
 73. I. tiphta. — Motac-typhia, Brown, 111. Zool. pi. 36. — Show Bhee- 
 gah, or Show Bheegee, H. 
 
 This is one of the most common Indian birds in most part of the 
 country, daily to be seen in almost every garden. Its habits are even 
 still more active and restless than those of any others of this family, 
 being much like those of the titmouse. It may be seen diligently and 
 carefully searching the smaller branches and twigs of trees, climbing 
 actively among them, peering under the leaves, and occasionally hanging, 
 like a titmouse, from a slender twig, all the while keeping up a loud 
 warbling strain, or a low querulous sort of note, very different from each 
 other. It is not confined to cultivated ground, but is also an inhabitant 
 of the open spaces of jungles. Its flight is performed by a succession 
 of quick vibrations of the wing, and causes a loud whining sound. Its 
 food consists of various insects, and their larvae, spiders, &c. I have 
 only found the male bird at certain seasons in its full plumage of black 
 and yellow, and even then you seldom meet with two clothed exactly 
 alike. On this account, I am inclined to think, that it is only in the 
 breeding season that the black plumage is put on, and that the lora 
 scapularis of Horsfield may be identical with both sexes of this in its 
 ordinary plumage. This supposition, however, needs further enquiry. 
 I once in the West Coast, in the month of Septmber, met with a nest of 
 this species in the fork of a low tree. It was more neatly and carefully 
 made than any other of the few nests I have seen in this country. It 
 contained young ones. It gets its Hindusianee name from its cry, being 
 said to repeat the syllables « show bheega,' ' show bheega,' before 
 rain. 
 
 Genus TRICHOPHORUS, Temm— Bristle necked Thrush. 
 
 74. T. virescens.—Ixosvirescens, Temm. P. C. — White browed bris- 
 tle neck. 
 
 Although I am inclined to think that this species of bulbul may enter 
 into Swainson's genus, Andropadus rather than Tricophorus, as I 
 have in some cases, though not in all, detected a slight crenation at the 
 tip of the upper mandible, and the bill is shorter than in Tricophorus, 
 yet I have for the present kept it in that genus, as its nuchal hairs are 
 very distinct. It is a widely dispersed, though not very common bird, 
 
1839.] of (lie Peninsula of India* 249 
 
 except in some few localities. It prefers a wooded district. I have 
 found it in Goomsoor in open jungle; in the Camatic seldom, and only in 
 the vicinity of jungle, in thick hedges and bushy nullahs ; in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Coimbatoor; in low thickets, in the Wulliar jungle, and 
 very abundant in a bushy tract along the West Coast. It flies actively 
 along from bush to bush, hiding itself in the thickets ; has a loud clear 
 thrush-like warble, and feeds entirely on fruit of various kinds. Irides 
 blood red; bill black; legs dusky. Length 7| inches; wing 3|; tail 3\ 
 tarsus nearly -P^. 
 
 75. — T. Indicus. — Turdus Indicus, auct. — Merle olive des Indes, 
 Vieillot— Encyc. Method, p. 667. 
 
 I am not aware whether this well marked species of Tricophorus has 
 been named or not, but as it appears to correspond with Turdus Indicus 
 of the older authors,I have no hesitation in applying that specific name. 
 
 This bristle necked thrush frequents only thick and lofty jungle on 
 the West Coast, being found occasionally as high as 5000 feet. It lives 
 in small flocks, flying from tree to tree, and keeping up a continual, and 
 pleasing bulbul-like warble. In all the specimens I have examined, I 
 have found fruit only in its stomach, but from the strong bristles at the 
 baso of the bill, I suppose it may, at certain seasons, partake of insects. 
 I add a brief description. — Above olive green; eye streak extending to 
 the forehead, and beneath yellow; quill feathers dusky on internal web ; 
 tail olive, beneath shafts of the feathers yellow*; bill and legs black ; 
 hides blood red. Length 7£ to 8 inches; wing 4 ; tail 3^; tarsus rather 
 more than T \. 
 
 Genus ILEMATORNIS, Sw.— Crested Bulbul. 
 76. — H. Cafer. — Lanius Emeria, Shaw. — Bulbul, H. — Common Bulbul. 
 
 This is one of the most common and abundant birds of India, fre- 
 quenting both gardens and cultivated ground, and low bushy jungle. 
 It is never found in dense jungle. It is found even on the Neilgherries 
 at Coonoor and Kotagherry at 6000 feet of elevation ; but I have not ob- 
 served it in the more elevated and central parts of the hills.lt lives in 
 
 * I see a new species from the Himalayas has lately been described by Gould (Proc. 
 Zool. Soc. 1836), which if really distinct differs only in being crested. 
 
250 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 pairs, or small families, feeds chiefly on fruit, being destructive to pease 
 and other garden produce, but also occasionally on insects, frequently 
 repeating its usual note while hopping about the branches, and wander- 
 ing from tree to tree. It flies in a direct manner with a quick flapping 
 of its wings, and usually uttering its note when on the wing. It is very 
 commonly caged in the Carnatic, and kept for fighting, which it does 
 with some spirit, and it is said that the antagonists often seize each other 
 by the red under tail coverts, and endeavour to pull them out. The 
 bulbul is also said to imitate the notes of various other birds in con- 
 finement. 
 
 11— }T, jocosus. — Laniusjocosus, L.—Pharee Bu'.bul, H — Hill or 
 jungle Bulbtd. 
 
 This sprightly and pleasing bird is in general found in the Peninsula, 
 only in lofty jungle, as well as on the East Coasr (as in Goomsoor), as 
 the West Coast; but I have also seen it in low bushy ground on the sea 
 coast, between Calicut and Tellicherry, and it is most abundant on the 
 summit of the Neilghenies, in gardens, and shrubby ground. It is a most 
 lively and active bird, always on the move, and warbling its pleasant 
 chirruping notes, which are much sweeter than those of the common 
 bulbul. It lives chiefly on fruit and seeds, but also on insects occasi- 
 onally, which I have seen it picking oft' the ground. Its flight is like 
 that of the last, steady, but not rapid, and its crest is never erected dur- 
 ing flight, but always the moment it alights. A deserted nest was 
 pointed out to me, in a low shrub close to a house in Ootacamund, as 
 that of the hill bulbul. It was very neatly mule with moss, lichen, 
 small roots and twigs, and well lined with hair and down. 
 
 Irides yellow brown; length varies from 7 to 8 inches. Specimens 
 from the Neilghenies are larger than those from the coast 
 
 Sub-Family MYOTHERIN^E, Swainson.— Ant Thrushes. 
 
 Genls MYOTHERA, III. 
 
 Sub Genus BRACHYPTERYX, Yloxsl—Sh ort-wing. 
 
 78. — B. atriceps. — New species ? — Black-headed short wing. 
 
 I know not if this little species has been described or not, so shall for 
 the present consider it as new. It is only found, as far as my observa- 
 tions extend, among the thickest underwood in dense lofty jungle. I 
 have seen it in the Trichoor and Wurguneherry jungles, and also on the 
 Coonoor ghaut, and in the "Wynaud. It is a restless lively little bird 
 
1839.] of the Peninsula of India. 251 
 
 living in small flocks of five or six, and continually hopping about the 
 low thick bushes and underwood, with an incessant low twittering note, 
 and has much of the general habits of the Thimalice. In its stomach I 
 found small mantides, grasshoppers and other insects. 
 
 Descr. — Head and cheeks black ; back, wings, tail, and under tail co- 
 verts brownish olive, darkest on tail and wings; below whiie with a 
 tinge of olive, brown on the sides, and towards the vent; feathers of 
 back and rump much discomposed. Length nearly 5i inches ; of tail 2 ; 
 of wing 2 T 3 7 ths ; tarsus T V ns - Lides pale orange buff. 
 
 Genus MYOPHONUS, Horsf.— Foul Thrush, Swainson. 
 
 79. — M. Horsfieldii, Vigors.— Large blue Thrush. 
 
 I have hitherto only seen this bird twice :once in the Trichoor jungle, 
 hopping on the ground like a black bird ; and again in the Segoor pass 
 of the Neilgherries, flying before me from tree to tree near the ground. 
 I have also seen a specimen shot in the Pulney hills, and several pro- 
 cured in the neighbourhood of Cannanore. Length 12 inches ; of wing 
 6£; of tail 5; of tarsus 1 y^ths of an inch. Bill and legs black; hides 
 dark brown. 
 
 Genus PITTA, Temm.— Ant Thrush. 
 80. — P. Brachyura. — Non-rung, H. (i. e. nine coloured bird). 
 
 Though by no means common, this bird is occasionally met with in 
 gardens and topes in the Carnatic, as at Madras and Trichinopoly, dur- 
 ing the cold weather only, I believe. It however generally frequents 
 high jungle, and is therefore more common on the West Coast than in 
 other parts of the peninsula ; I have also seen it in Goomsoor. It feeds 
 on the ground in small flocks, generally, but not unfrequently singly, 
 and readily perches on being disturbed. 
 
 In the few instances when I have obtained specimens of the Nou-rung, 
 I have not found their food to consist of ants, but of other insects, chief- 
 ly coleopterous. Length 6i inches; of wing A\ ; tail 1£; tarsus 1 ,yhs . 
 Irides, hazel brown ; bill black ; legs yellowish pink. 
 
2.ii2 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 Sub-Family MERULINiE.— True Thrushes. 
 
 Genus PETROCINCLA.— Rock Thrush. 
 
 81.— P. Pandoo, Sykes.— P. Maal, Sykes. — Indian Rock Thrush—* 
 Shamah, H. 
 
 In accordance with Colonel Sykes' opinion, I place this bird as distinct 
 from the P. Cyanea of Europe, which it much resembles. The Shamah 
 is a rare bird in the southern part of the Peninsula. I have only seen it 
 on the Neilgherries, near Coonoor and Kotagherry, in bushy and rocky 
 valleys. Towards the more northern parts it becomes more frequent. 
 I observed it several times about the central part of the table land, both 
 in the neighbourhood of villages, and in rotky valleys and hills. About 
 Jaulnah it is far from being uncommon, frequenting chiefly the old mud 
 walls of villages, and rocky hills, and occasionally seen about houses 
 and stables in cantonment, perching now and then on the house tops. 
 I first observed it this year (1839) in the beginning of October, coming 
 in at the same time with many other birds, and it stays here (Jaulnah) 
 till April. It is always solitary, feeds on various insects. I have found 
 the P. maaf, of Sykes, in the same localities as his P. pandoo, and con- 
 sider it as the young bird or female, which is also the opinion of Mr. 
 Elliot. From his notes I take the following extract: — " very tame, 
 often coming into houses and hopping about verandahs; has a fine song, 
 and is trained and domesticated by faqueers and others; common on 
 the coast from Vingorlah to Cambay." Length 8£ inches; wing 
 nearly 15 ; tail 3 ; tarsus 1 inch. Iridcs deep brown ; bill and legs 
 black. 
 
 GenusPETROPHILA, Swainson. 
 
 S2. P. cinclorhyncha, Sw.—Pelrocincla cinclorhyncha, Vigors.— 
 Gould, Cent. pi. 
 
 This bird certainly differs from the last in its habits, as well as form, 
 but the generic name adopted by Swainson is, I think, unfortunate, as 
 I have hitherto only met it perched on trees in dense and lofty jungle 
 in the Coonoor pass of the Neilgherries, on the summit of the hills 
 nearCoonoor — and once in the jungles of Malabar, at no great eleva- 
 tion above the sea. On one occasion only I observed three or four toge- 
 ther ; at all other times it was solitary. Its stomach contained various 
 fruit and berries. 
 
1839.] of the Peninsula of India. 253 
 
 A young bird, I possess, is of a brownish olive colour above, with a 
 tinge of blue on the shoulders and tail, rump feathers edged with 
 rusty ; beneath white, much tinged with rusty on breast, and the fea- 
 thers barred transversely with olive brown. Length 7£ inches ; wing 
 rather more than 4 ; tail 2| ; tarsus T yhs of an inch ; irides brown. 
 
 Genxjs TURDUS, L., Auct.— Merula, Sw. 
 
 83. — T. simillimus. — New species. — NeVgherry black bird. 
 
 This black bird, generally considered by residents on the Neilgher- 
 ries to be identical with the European species, so closely resembles 
 it, that I was unable to decide accurately from the descriptions I pos- 
 sess, till I procured some specimens from home of the British bird. 
 It however differs invariably (besides in other points hereafter to be 
 mentioned) in the colour of its legs, which are always yellow, whilst 
 those of the T. merula are brown (I had overlooked this point in the 
 descriptions). The Neilgherry black bird has exactly the same habits 
 and song as its European analogue, though I think in this latter respect 
 it is surpassed by the British bird. 
 
 I have only observed it on the Neilgherries, in the dense woods of 
 which it is very common, and may be daily heard pouring forth its 
 charming song, especially towards evening, and in cloudy weather. 
 It is found alone or in small families. It lives chiefly on fruit of dif- 
 ferent kinds, especially of the pleasant Brazil cherry, now so abundant 
 in the woods there ; also feeds on worms, caterpillars, and other soft 
 insects. I possess a specimen, given me by Major Campbell, 33cl N. I., 
 who shot it on the Pulney hills, which is identical with the Neilgher- 
 ry ones. 
 
 Descr. — Male bird entirely black, conspicuously darkest on the head 
 and back of neck, lightest below, and tinged with dusky brownish. 
 Female of a dark olive brown above, of a much lighter tint below. 
 Bill and edges of eyelids, in both sexes, orange yellow ; feet dark yel- 
 low, with a tinge of dusky in the female ; claws of same colour as toes. 
 Irides dark hazel brown. Length 10 inches ; of wing a little more than 
 5 inches ; tail rather more than 4 ; tarsus nearly 1 -, 3 ? ths. 
 
 The young birds are of a similar colour to the females ; the feathers 
 especially of ihe head, neck and breast, have a central streak of a light 
 brownish yellow. In the European bird, this central streak is of a much 
 darker and more rufous hue. One of the chief points of difference, be- 
 
254 Catalogue of the Birch L° cr - 
 
 tween this species and the European bird, is the length of bill, which 
 is considerably longest in the Neilgherry bird. This, with the differ- 
 ence of colour of legs and claws, and the distinct (though slight) 
 variation of the tint of the plumage are sufficient, I should imagine, 
 (independent of its difference of locality), to stamp this as a distinct 
 and independent species. It would be interesting to know if this spe- 
 cies was confined to the small, but highly elevated table lands of the 
 South of India, or had a more extended geographical distribution. 
 
 84.- T. cyanotus, Jard. 111. 0mith.-4G.-5/uf backed Thrush. 
 
 This neatly marked species is found only in dense and lofty jim- 
 gles. 1 have seen it in Goomsoor, in the Malabar Coast, and most 
 numerously in the bamboo jungles of the Wynaud, though far 
 from being common even there. It is always found solitary, 
 perched on the lower branches of trees, and its flight is low and 
 vapid. Feeds chiefly on stony fruit. Colonel Sykes says also on 
 cicmlcr and other insects. I never heard it utter any note. Irides dark 
 brown; length 8 inches; of wing 4i ; tail nearly 3; tarsus l^tbs 
 of an inch. 
 
 85.— T. varhis, Horsf.— Elegant Thrush. 
 
 I only once saw and obtained a specimen of this elegantly marked 
 and formed species of thrush, in a small tope close to Rumbah, on 
 the Chilka lake, in the neighbourhood of a high jungle; its flight was 
 very rapid. Its stomach contained various fruit and seeds. Irides 
 dark hazel. Length about 10 inches; of wing rather more than 51 ,; tail 
 3? ; tarsus 1 T \ths. The first quill is very small ; the second slightly 
 shorter than the fifth, the third longest and perceptibly longer than the 
 fourth. Bill brownish ; legs and feet dirty yellow 
 
 Sub Family CRATEROPODIN^E, Swains.— Babblers. 
 
 This sub-family has received a most appropriate name from Swain- 
 son, who has, I think, most justly located in it the various Indian genera 
 Pellorneum, Crateropns, Pomatorrhinus and Thimalia, which much 
 resemble each other in their manners, though they do not in general 
 evince a partiality for the neighbourhood of water, nor do they inhabit 
 the thickets of reeds and other aquatic plants, as said, in Swainson, to 
 be the general habits of the family. The notes of all the species are 
 leud. 
 
•jKadjaj lTcw £LL fy iuent*- 
 
 nix n.w. 
 
 Crateropus (.'ncliinnnus 
 
 laughing Thrush cftht JYeilqJurries 
 
1839 J of the Peninsula of India. 255 
 
 Gen. PELLORNEUM, Swains. 
 
 86.-P. olivaceum?—New species.— P. ruficeps, S\v. N.Z ?— Red 
 headed Babbler. 
 
 Deserip.— Above and sides of a dark brownish olive ; head, and back 
 part of neck, rusty red: chin white ; breast and bellv white; many of 
 the feathers, of the breast especially, broadly centred with olive. Irides 
 brick red ; bill above dusky ;below dirty yellow; legs yellow with a 
 tinge of flesh colour. Length 6£ inches; wing 2fj tail 2- 4 ths • 
 tarsus l T Vth. 
 
 I have not met with any description of this bird, but as the species 
 given as type of this genus has been called ruficeps by its talented 
 founder, I strongly suspect, that, as the name is applicable to this 
 species, it may be the one intended, so have put it as a synonym, till 
 further information is obtained. 
 
 I have met this curious little bird in the jungles of Trichoor, Wur- 
 guncherry and Manan toddy, but it is by no means common. It asso- 
 ciates in small flocks, among the low shrubs and thickets in lofty jun- 
 gle, descending to the groumd, where it hops about in search of various 
 insects, and from thence running up and climbing the small branches, 
 keeping up a continual chattering, and every now and then one of 
 them, perched on a low bough, elevating his head and neck, and giving 
 utterance to a sort of crowing laugh, very similar to that of the Cra- 
 teropus next described. On being disturbed, they retreat through the 
 trees and underwood, at no great height from the ground, and indeed 
 they never appear to climb to any height. 
 
 Gen. CRATEROPUS, Sw.— Xamthocincla.GouW.— GANw, A xis,Less. 
 
 87.— C. cachinnaus.— New species ?— White browed Babbler.— Laugh- 
 ing Thrush of the Neilgherries. 
 
 Deserip.— Above and under tail coverts of a dark olive, head dusky 
 black, eyebrows and eyelids white, lores and chin black, ears, throat 
 breast and belly bright rufous. Irides fine lake red ; bill black • legs 
 dusky greenish. Length about <J inches; wing.3^ • tail nearly 4; 
 tarsus 1 T 4 -. 
 
 This noisy bird is to be met with in all the thick woods on the sum- 
 mit of the Neilgherries, and its loud laughing call is often heard when 
 the bird itself remains unseen. I have met it in no other locality. 
 
256 
 
 Catalogue of the Birds; [Oct. 
 
 Like others of the family it lives in small flocks, forages about the 
 thick brushwood, and densely interwoven woody creepers. On being 
 observed, they hop and climb up the stem and thick branches of the 
 nearest large tree ; but they do not appear to ascend to the toi s of trees. 
 I occasionally, though rarely, observed them hopping and feeding on the 
 ground. As might be expected from the structure of their wings, they 
 fly heavily, and never to any distance. The cry of the ' laughing 
 thrush' is very peculiar, and once heard cannot be forgotten. It is a 
 sort of cracked, punch and judy laugh, and is no sooner commenced by 
 one, than several others take up ihe chorus. Their chief food is fruit 
 of various kinds, also caterpillars, grubs and various other insects, 
 
 88.— C. Delesserli.—New species ? 
 
 The only specimen I have seen of this bird was in the collection of 
 M. Delessert, who was some time on the Neilgherries. It was killed 
 near Kotagherry, and, if new, may be n imed in honour of that gentle- 
 man, who took home with him luge collections. 
 
 Descr.—\ rides light red ; bill yellow at the base of the lower mandi- 
 blc.brown above ; head and nape brownish black; chin, throat and bteast 
 while , shoulders and back dark rufous, growing lighter towards the tail ; 
 wings reddish black; belly and venl light reddish brown ; tail black; 
 legs pale reddish. Length about 1 1 inches; wing 4/^ths ; tail ^ths . 
 tarsus l T yhs. 
 
 Sob-Genus POMATORHINUS, Horsf. 
 89.— P. Horsfieldii, Sykes.— Horsfield's Bubbler. 
 
 I have seen this bird, but rarely, in Goomsoor, in bamboo jungle, in 
 thick and tangled wood near Manantoddy, and among under-wood in the 
 neighbourhood of Kotagherry. It has a very loud cry which has been 
 well expressed by Colonel Sykes, as, • hoot whoot, whoot ,' to which the 
 female (when they are in pairs) answers ' hoot, hooee.' I saw it once in 
 pairs, at other times in small families, keeping up a continual loud call, 
 and climbing about the branches with great facility. It is a remarkably 
 shy and wary bird. Various small insects were found in the stomach of 
 those, I procured. 
 
 Irides dark red; bill yellow; horn colour at the base of the upper 
 mandible ; legs greenish black. Length 9 to 9) inches; wing Vo 11 * 
 tail 3| ; tarsus l T 9 „ths. 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. 257 
 
 Genus THIMALIA, Horsf. 
 
 90.— T. Malcolmi, Sykes.— Large Babbler.— Ghoghoye, R.—Gougi/a, 
 Can. — Kokutlee, M. 
 
 This large Thimalia has a peculiar distribution. In the South of In- 
 dia it is only found on the elevated table lands. I have observed it on 
 the Neil gherries near Coonoor and Kotagherry, in low bushy ground, 
 and seen specimens from the Shevaroy Hills near Salem. It is not found 
 in the Carnatic, Northern Circars, nor in the more southern parts of the 
 Decean, but towards the north begins to c-cur more frequently, and at 
 Jaulnah is very common. The Ghoghoye frequents topes in the neigh- 
 bourhood of villages and cultivation, also occasionally low and open 
 jungle. Lives in small troops, feeding chiefly on the ground, especially 
 around the trunks of large trees. It keeps up a continual chattering, oc- 
 casionally changed to a louder cry, resembling ' quey, quey, quey, quo, 
 quo,' pronounced very gutturally. lis flight, like that of all the species 
 of Thimalia, is feeble and struggling. Mr. Elliot says "when the Shikra 
 (F. Dulclmnensis) is flown at them they defend each other with great 
 courage, mobbing the hawk, and endeavouring to release the one she 
 has seized." Lives on various grains, seeds, and insects, chiefly grasshop- 
 pers; I have seen one attempt in vain to catch a grasshopper on the wing. 
 
 Irides light yellow. Length Hi inches; wing 4 T 6 ^ths ; tail 5± ; tar- 
 sus IfVths. 
 
 91. — T. Somervillei, Sykes. — Jungle Keir or Kayr, H. — Jungle grey 
 babbler. 
 
 I have always found this species of Thimalia in tolerably dense jungle, 
 and never in open country, like the next one which much resembles it. 
 It is far from being uncommon in most jungles. I have seen it in 
 Goomsoor, in theTondiman's country, in the Carnatic, and in most of the 
 jungles of the West Coast. I have also lately procured it in a densely 
 wooded nullah in low jungly country in the neighbourhood of Jaulnal^ 
 It has similar habits to others of the genus living in tolerably numerous 
 and noisy troops, and feeding on various grains and insects. 
 
 Irides pale yellow : bill and feet dirty yellow. Length 9 inches ; of 
 wing 4 r ', T i h, tail 4;]; tarsus l-^ths. 
 
 I may here remark that my specimens from two localities differ some- 
 what from each other in the shade of their plumage, and also slightly 
 from Colonel Sykes' description. This may depend on difference of 
 age. A specimen from Goomsoor, however, has a bill remarkably differ- 
 ing from those of the others, in having the edge of both mandibles, es- 
 pecially of the under one, scooped out, as it were, from the centre to the 
 tip of the bill, so as, when they are closed, to leave an open space. I pos- 
 
258 Catalogue of the Birds [OvX 
 
 sess but one specimen from this locality, and so am not aware whether 
 it is an accidental or permanent character. If the Litter, it will, with 
 some other slight variations, constitute it a separate species; and from 
 the peculiar distribution of others of this truly Indian genus, and the 
 general similarity of colour, as remarkably shown in the likeness of this 
 to the next species, lam inclined to think that hereafter other species 
 may be separated, closely allied in plumage and general structure, yet 
 differing in some permanent character, both of structure and plumage, as 
 well as in geographical distribution. This, however, deserves further in- 
 vestigation. 
 
 92.— T. grisea.— T. gn'seus, Laih.—Keijr. ll.—K>iHee Couravee, Tarn. 
 {Hedge bird).— Dirt bird of some Europeans.— Fouille-merde of French 
 in India (Vieillot)— Common Grey Bubbler. 
 
 This species so much resembles the last in its general appearance, 
 that I was long unsatisfied of their distinctness, notwithstanding the 
 striking difference of colour of the hides, and different localities of the 
 two. This is one of the commonest birds of the Carnatic, and may be 
 seen in every garden, and about the hedge rows, avenues, trees and topes 
 throughout that district. I have never seen it above the ghauts, nor in 
 the Northern Circars even, but it occurs sparingly in the more open por- 
 tions of the West Coast. Like the others of its genus, it lives in nu- 
 merous families of 6, 8, 10, or more. They feed chiefly on the ground, 
 on which they may be seen to drop one after the other from the tree 
 they may have been perched on— hop briskly about, picking up various 
 seeds and insects, occasionally seeking the latter from heaps of dung 
 (whence they have received their usual denomination, as well from the 
 French as English in India, who on this account are prejudiced against 
 them). On being driven from the ground or leaving it from choice, they fly 
 up successively as they dropped down, and hop and climb up the lar ge 
 branches of the nearest rree.seldom stopping till they have nearly reach- 
 ed the top or the other side, from which if still watched they fly off, one 
 after the other, to another tree. 7 hey often appear to pick insects off 
 the bark of trees. They have an incessant loud whispering kind of chat- 
 ter, which they all repeat at once, especially when feeding, or on beinc 
 observed by any one. The Keyr is a veiy familiar bird if undisturbed 
 feeding close to houses, but if closelj observed or followed becomes cir- 
 cumspect and wary. It is also a very quarrelsome bird. I have seen 
 the nest of this species placed in a tree at no great height. It was made 
 of 6mall twigs and roots most carelessly put together, and contained four 
 bluish eggs. I sdiall here add a desctiption of the Carnatic bird. 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. 259 
 
 General shade of plumage light brownish grey, head and nape much 
 lighter tint, almost whitish, and appearing so most distinctly at a dis- 
 tance (whence they are vulgarly called by some white headed bobs). 
 Quills and tail brown, obsoletely barred with darker binds central tail 
 feathers lighter at the base, feathers of the back darkish, lightest in the 
 shaft and at the edges, rump feathers pale fawn, much discomposed. 
 Feathers of the chin and throat dark in the centre, at the base and ex- 
 tremity of a bluish white. This gives a bluish appearance to this gular 
 band, which is distinctly separated from the surrounding plumage. 
 Breast, belly and under tail coverts pale yellowish fawn colour, most of 
 the feathers ave bluish at the base. 
 
 Length 9£; wing -1 ; taiH; tarsus 1 -^tlis ; hides silver white; bill 
 and legs yellow. It differs from the last species structurally in the form 
 of the bill, which is shorter and more elevated at the base, and in the hind 
 toe also, which is shorter than in T. Somervillei. 
 
 Mr. Elliot has in his notes the description of a Thimalia, met in the 
 Southern Mabratfa Country, which appears nearly to correspond with 
 this, the only difference I can defect from his description is in the bill 
 and legs, which he calls "whitish." If identical it would mark a 
 curious distribution, as I have seen it in no situation above the ghauts. 
 Plumage above, chin and throat, brown cinereous, shafis of the feathers 
 lighter; head and nape, whitish, rump cinereous; tail brown, with indis- 
 tinct darker bars ; belly whitish like the head, hides silver white, bill 
 and legs white. Length 9\ inches. 
 
 93.— T. subrufa.— New species.— Junglee Ke>jr, H.— Rufous bellied 
 Sabbler. 
 
 This apparently undescribed species is only found in thick jungle. I 
 have hitherto only seen it in the bamboo jungles of the Wynaad near 
 Mananloddy. It hassimilar manners to the others, feedingon the ground 
 and on being disturbed retreating to the thick clumps of bamboos, tbrouo-h 
 which they make their way with much adroitness, chattering all the 
 while, and generally contrive to conceal themselves from view. Their 
 note is similar in character, though quite distinct from any of its con- 
 goners. Its colours mark an approach to the Crateropi. Mr. Elliot 
 mentions this species in his notes as found in the jungles of the Southern 
 Mahratta Country; so it is probably found in most of the elevated jungles 
 along the range of the ghauts, though not as far as I have seen found 
 below the mountains. 
 
260 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 Descr. — Above darkish brown olive, below rufous, darkest on the 
 neck and breast; forehead pale bluish ash colour ; frontal feathers rigid; 
 bill brown above, yellow below. Legs yellow, hides bright yellow. 
 Length 9h ; wing 3 J^ths ; tail l\ ; tarsus l T ^ths. 
 
 94.— T. Chaiarcea, Frankl. Cat.— Gen. Malacocircus, Svvainson ?— 
 Doomree, H. — Hoonee, Tam. ? — Striated Babbler. 
 
 Before entering on the account of the bird, I may here introduce some 
 excellent remark, of Mr. Elliot. He says, speaking of the Thimalice 
 " there is another group, the Doomrees, differing somewhat in habit, less 
 noisy, still in companies and flying along woody nullahs, hedge rows, 
 bushes, &c. where they ensconce and conceal themselves." In the 
 three species next described there is certainly a slight difference both 
 in structure and habits from the more typical species of Thimalice. 
 Whether this is sufficient to entitle them to sub generic distinction or 
 not cannot be satisfactorily determined, till a complete analysis his been 
 made of the whole family of the Crateropodince, of which Swainson con- 
 fesses that enough is not yet known to enable him to arrange them per- 
 fectly. 
 
 The Doomree is found all over the peninsula, in the open plains when 
 red with a few scattered bushes, or in low but thin jungle. It is a 
 shy and wary bird, flying before you from bush to bush, and having a 
 whistling sort of cry which it is frequently heard repeating. It flies low, 
 and like others of the genus, alternately with a few rapid beats of the 
 wing, and a sailing with outstretched wings. Feeds on various insects, 
 caterpillars and grubs. Irides reddish brown; bill brownish ; legs dirty 
 yellow. Length9to9Ji wing about 3; tail 4; tarsus 1. 
 
 95.— T. hypoleuca, Frankl.— White belVed or singing Babbler.— Shu- 
 kur Doomree, H. ? 
 
 This neatly clothed little Thimalia, is far from being common towards 
 the south of the Peninsula. I have seen it in a bushy tract at the edge of 
 the Wnlliar jungle ; also in hedges on low jungly districts near the base 
 of the Shaudee mungalum hills in the Salem district, and again at Roya- 
 cottah in similar situation. Near Jaulnah it is generally to be met with 
 in the low jungle in the neighbourhood, also in woody nullahs and thick 
 hedges It is not unfrequently to be seen alon>, but generally in small 
 parties of four or five, which fly before you, and manage to conceal them- 
 
1839] of the Peninsula of India. 261 
 
 selves in some thick bush. They have a low chattering when together, 
 neither loud however, nor often heard. I have on several occasions heard 
 a single one perched conspicuously on a bush or hedge, pour forth a re- 
 markably sweet song. Feeds on anls and various other insects, &c. 
 Irides deep brown, surrounded by a narrow circle of buff; bill black; 
 edges of the nostrils and naked skin round eye, orange yellow; legs 
 deep yellow. Length 6£ to 6|; wing 2 -jVhs ; tail 3£ ; tarsus 1 T Vth. 
 
 96.— T.Hyperythra, Frankl. Cat.— Shah Doomree, H. }— Smallest babbler. 
 
 This small species, but for its high and strongly compressed bill, might 
 readily be mistaken for a Prima or some other of the warblers. I have 
 seen it but very seldom, once at the top of the Tapoor pass in thick jun- 
 gle, and in the neighbourhood of Jaulnah, in jungly district, in thick 
 hedges, and thick wooded nullahs. From the dense nature of the bushes 
 &c. it frequents, it is with difficulty observed and obtained. I have 
 generally seen it in parties of rive or six, occasionally giving out a low 
 and indistinct sort of chattering. Fragments of various insects were 
 found in the stomachs of those I procured. Irides yellowish brown; 
 bill horn colour; legs flesh coloured with tinge of yellow. Length 5|; 
 wing 2 T yhs; tail 2\-, tarsus, nearly J^-ths. 
 
 Sub Family ORIOLINiE.— Orioles. 
 Genus ORIOLUS, L. — Oriole.— Mango Bird of Europeans in India. 
 
 97. — O. aureus, Gmel.— 0. Galbida, Sykes' Cat. — O. Kzaidoo, Sykes — 
 Young bird — Peebeck, H. — Indian Oriole or Mango bird. 
 
 This species, generally considered to be identical with the European, 
 O. Galbula, differs in the black eye-streak extending to some distance 
 above the ear coverts, and in its shorter wing. 
 
 Colonel Sykes says of this bird " very abundant in the Deccan just 
 before the rains." In the Carnaiic it is most abundant, I think, during 
 the cold weather, disappearing or nearly so during the hot months. 
 This corresponds with the period of their greatest abundance in the 
 Deccan. It is most numerous in the West Coast, and well wooded situ- 
 ations; frequents topes, gardens, avenues and large single trees, feed- 
 ing on various fruit, especially the fig of the banian tree. It is not met 
 with in thick forest jungle. Its flight is undulating. It has a loud 
 
262 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct- 
 
 mellow plaintive cry, something resembling pee-ho. Length SH ; wing 
 bh; tail 3£ ; tarsus T V"s; bill brownish red; irides fine lake red; 
 feet slate colour. 
 The O. kundoo, of Sykes I consider the young birch 
 
 9S. — O. melanocephalus, L. — Black headed Mango bird or Oriole. 
 
 This species is in general only met with in thick and lofty jungle, 
 but in parts of the West Coast, as about Palghaut and Triclioor, it is com- 
 mon in topes, avenues and gardens. I have seen it also in Goomsoor in 
 oppn jungle, but not in the Carnatic, Like the last, it is seen singly, 
 or in pairs. Length 9 inches 5 wing 5; tail 3h. 
 
 99. — O. Chinensis, Gmel. — O. hippocrepis, Wagler. — O. Maderaspa- 
 tanus, Frankl. Cat., Young bird ? — Black-naped Oriole. 
 
 I have not myself observed this species of Oriole, but find it recorded 
 in Mr. Elliot's notes, as occurring sparingly in the jungles of the Sou- 
 thern Mahratta Country. 
 
 Genus I REN A, Horsf. 
 
 100. — I. puella, Horsf. — Edolius puellus, Temm. — Fairy blue bird. 
 
 This most lovely plumaged bird is far from being uncommon in many 
 of the lofty forest jungles of Malabar. I have seen it in the jungles near 
 Palghautcherry, Triclioor, the Wynaad, and on the Coonoor ghaut, as 
 high as 4000 feet and upwards. It is only found in the densest portions 
 of the jungle. 
 
 The fairy blue bird lives generally in small parties of four or five, or 
 more, occasionally in pairs, frequents the loftiest trees near their 6 u li- 
 mit, and feeds on various fruit and berries. It has a loud, mellow, agree- 
 able warble, which it is frequently heard repeating; by which I have 
 generally first detected their presence in the thick and umbrageous parts 
 of the forest they inhabit. As this bird was not observed either by Mr. 
 Elliot, or Colonel Sykes, I presume it does not extend far to the north- 
 ward. In one or two instances, I observed two or three hairs arising 
 from the nape, as in the Tricophori. Irides fine ruby red ; bill and legs 
 black. Length 10 inches; wing5£; tail 4 j tarsus ^ths. 
 
1839.] of the Peninsula of India. 263 
 
 Fam. SYLVIADJE.- Warblers. 
 
 Sub Family SAXICOLINiE— Stonechats. 
 Gen. GRYLLIVORA, Swains.— Kittacincla, Gould. 
 
 101. — G. intermedia, Sw. — GracnJa Swdar'ts, L. — Turdus Jmcenus, 
 Horsf.? — Pastor, Temm. — L/m. M'.ndan n is, Auct. — Little Indian Pie, 
 Edw. pi. 181. — Dial bird, Lath. — Dayyur or Deyr, H.— Large or Mag- 
 pie Robin. 
 
 This bird, so long with others of its genus banded about by authors, 
 has at length, I hope, found a firm resting place among the Sto?iechals t 
 to which it is certainly most closely allied in manners, as well as in 
 Structure. I think that this generally spread Indian bird, is referable 
 to Swainson's* species named as above. It is far from being numerous 
 in the Carnatic, orDeccan, except in well wooded situations ; is more so 
 in the Northern Circars, but most abundant on the Wesiern Coast, as 
 well in the jungles, as in gardens, avenues, topes, &c. It is solitary, 
 frequents thick trees and bushes, feeds on the ground, flying down from 
 a low branch, its usual perch, and frequently hopping a few steps on the 
 ground, jerking its tail well up every now and then. On securing an 
 insect it flies back again to its perch, elevating its tail on reseating it- 
 self, and uttering a pleasant warble. Towards evening it may often be 
 seen near the top of some lofty tree in the jungle, pouring forth its 
 agreeable song; which, however beautiful, must yield the palm to that 
 of the next species mentioned. It is occasionally caged for its song. 
 Its chief food is small grasshoppers and similar insects. Irides hazel 
 brown; bill black; legs dusky. Length 7 J to 8 inches; wing about 
 4; tail 3 T 8g-ths ; tarsus 1 T y.h. 
 
 I have hitherto procured so few specimens from different localities 
 that I cannot say whether Swainson's new species, if it be from India, 
 (O. brevirostra) be well founded or not. I possess a specimen shot in 
 thick jungle which certainly has a smaller bill than the common species, 
 and only 3 of the tail feathers on either side are pure white, the next 
 one being edged with black; and as this, though a young bird, is the 
 only one I shot in high jungle, it may turn out to be a distinct species. 
 Another species, not uncommonly seen in cages in the Carnatic, is, I 
 
 * V. Swains. Classification of Birds. Part 5. 
 
264 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 think, the G. magnirostra of Swainson— this I have hitherto not met 
 in a state of nature, and it is said to be brought over from Malacca, 
 Ceylon, Java, and other Eastern Islands. It sells for a high price, and 
 sings most charmingly. 
 
 102. G. longicauda, Swa'ms. —Turdns macrourus, Gmel.— Long tail- 
 ed thrush, Lath.— Zo/y tailed Robin.— Indian Nightingale.— Jbbeka,K. 
 
 This most ch rming songster of the forest, is unfortunately rather 
 rare, and only found in the most retired and impervious parts of the 
 thickest forest jungle. I have seen it in the bottom of the Coonoor 
 pass, and in the greatest abundance in a tract of forest west of Sultan's 
 Battery, in the Wynaad ; in both places in the densest thickets. It is 
 solitary, perches on low branches, and hops to the ground to secure a 
 grasshopper, small mantis, or other soft insect. When alarmed it 
 flies before you from tree to tree at a low height. Its song is heard in 
 the greatest perfection towards evening, and is certainly surpassed by 
 no Indian bird, if indeed it is by the celebrated Nightingale. I believe 
 it is occasionally caught and caged for its song in the Northern pro- 
 vinces, and sells fur a high price at Calcutta. Lides hazel brown ; bill 
 black ; legs pale flesh colour. Length 12 inches, of which tail nearly 8; 
 wing 3| ; tarsus 1 inch. 
 
 Gems TIIAMNOBIA, Swains. 
 
 103. T. fulicata.—Ixos fulicatus.—Motac. fidieata, L.— Kukhon- 
 
 Tee, H. — Indian Robin. 
 
 This well known bird (with regard to which similar remarks to those 
 made on Gryllivora as to its previous situation and nomenclature apply 
 even more strongly), is tolerably common in most parts of the country, 
 and its familiar habits have gained for it the name of " Indian Robin." 
 It is found mostly about villages, pagodas, walls and old buildings and 
 houses ; often perching on the roof or pandaul, and feeding in the 
 verandahs, or occasionally even entering houses. It is generally 
 seen single or in pairs ; feeds on the ground, on which it runs with 
 great agility, frequently pursuing and capturing several insects 
 before it reseats itself on its perch, either on a house, or some neighbour- 
 ing tree or bush. At all times, but especially when feeding, it has 
 the habit of jerking up its tail, by successive efforts, so as almost to 
 overshadow its head. The male has a very sweet little song, which it 
 
1839.] of the Peninsula of India. 265 
 
 warbles forth from the top of a wall or low tree— and it is occasionally 
 caged. The Kulchoorec is not confined to the vicinity of villages, &c. 
 but is very common on stony hills, and in various other situations. 
 Irides dark brown. Length 6J inches ; wing 2 T yhs ; tail 2±; tarsus I 
 inch. 
 
 I have twice seen the nest of the bird, once built among a heap of 
 large stones raised from a boury, and the bird made its nest during 
 the time the well was being blasted, and continued the process of in- 
 cubation till the young ones were hatched, when it was accidentally de- 
 stroyed. On the other occasion it had built iis nest in a hole inside the 
 wall of a house. It has 4 eggs, light dusky bluish colour, spotted with 
 purplish brown. 
 
 Gen. SAXICOLA, Bechst.— Stonechat. 
 104.— S. rubecola, Temm.— European Stonechat. 
 
 I have seen this bird in all parts of India during the cold weather, 
 making its first appearance in the beginning of October. It frequents 
 bushes on the plains, hedges, and grain fields, and feeds on the ground 
 on ants and various other insects. Irides dark brown j bill and legs 
 black. Length 5|; wing 2f ; tail If; tarsus T Vhs. 
 
 105.— A caprafa, Vieill — Mot. caprata, L. P. E. 235. Sax. fruticola, ' 
 Horsf. ?— , Sax. bicolor and£. enjthropygia, Sykes.—/ ndian Stonechat— 
 Neilgherry or Hill Robin.— Kola Pidda (i. e. Black Warbler), Zf„ 
 
 There are two varieties (of size only however) of this bird found in 
 the peninsula. The smaller kind is found throughout India. I have 
 seen it in the Carnatic, Deccan and West Coast— the larger variety I 
 have only seen on the Neilgherries, but as they nearly "correspond in 
 size with those found by Colonel Sykes, there is a regular gradation 
 from the mentioned length of the S. fruticola of Horsf. (viz. 4£ inches) 
 to that of the hill variety, which reaches 6| inches, and as from the de- 
 scriptions there appears no discrepancy in the colour of the plumage, 
 I think that there can be but little doubt that they are mere varieties 
 of one bird. The S. enjthropygia of Sykes, as might indeed have been 
 guessed from his own description, is the female of his bicolor (our pre- 
 sent subject) as I have ascertained beyond a doubt— as well from dissec- 
 
26G Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 tion, as from being so universally met with together in all localities. 
 This bird is not very common in the low country, and is perhaps most 
 numerous in bushy and jungly districts, frequenting bushes, low trees, 
 hedges, &c. On the Neilgherriea it is extremely abundant, and there 
 obtains the name of Hill Robin. It has the same manners as others of 
 its genus, darting down to the ground from its perch on the top of a 
 bush, or branch of a tree, and having secured an insect returning to 
 its seat. It has a short little song, as well as the usual chaptering note 
 common to the Stonechals, and from which they derive their name. 
 Varies in length from 5 io b£ inches Of one 6£ inches, the wing is 
 3 T Vhs ; tail 2\ ; tarsus -fVhs. Iridesdark brown. Bill and legs black, 
 The young bird is bruwn, spotted or streaked with light rufous.' 
 
 106. — S. rubecoloides, S}kes. — Indian redbreast. 
 
 This curious little species is clothed almost in the plumage of the 
 well known European Robin. It is a rare bird. I have only seen it 
 twice or thrice in topes in the neighbourhood of villages in the northern 
 part of the tableland. It is seen in small flock?, as well as singly, 
 perched on the lower boughs of some large mango or tamarind tree, it 
 hops to the g.ound to pick up ants and other insects, occasionally hop- 
 ping a step or two, and then flying back frequently alights on the trunk 
 of the tree, clinging to it for some seconds. It occasionally takes a very 
 short flight from its perch, and back again, but whether to capture an 
 insect in the air or not, I do not know. It differs f.om the Stonechats in 
 structure, approaching the flycatchers in its broader and more depressed 
 bill, and weak feet and legs, hides dark brown ; bill and legs brown. 
 Length 5 inches ; wing 2 J^ths; tail 2 j tarsus about T «Lths. 
 
 107. S. nigrorufa. — New species.— Orange Rohm. 
 
 This prettily plumaged and apparently new species, I have only met 
 on the summit of the Neilgherries, in the dense woods of which it may 
 occasionally be seen, preferring the most, close, retired and damp spots. 
 Here it may be seen seated motionless on a low bough, suddenly dart- 
 ing to the ground to feast on a caterpillar or other insect it may have 
 spied. I never heard its note. 
 
 Description- Head, face, back of neck and wings dusky black; rest 
 of body bright cinnamon rufous or orange; palest on the belly. 
 
1839] of 'the Peninsula of India. 267 
 
 Length about 4% to 5; wing 2^; tail 2; tarsus -J-g-ths. Irides hazel 
 brown; bill black; leys dirty reddish. 
 
 Sub Family PHILOMELIN^, Swains.— Large Warblers. 
 
 Genus PH.ENICURA, Swains. —Redstarts. 
 
 108. — P. afrata, Jard. andSelby. — Indian Redstart. — Thirt-hira,H— 
 i. e. Trembler, or Quaker, from the motion of its tail. 
 
 This bird is very common in most parts of India dining the cold wea- 
 ther, but more so in the table land, I think than in the Carnatic. It is 
 solitary, frequents wooded places, gardens, hedges, old walls and build- 
 ings, being often seen about the roofs of houses. Feeds on the ground 
 on wasps, ants and various other insects. Has a most peculiar quiver- 
 ing motion of its tail especially after feeding. The young bird has a 
 brownish colour, where in the old bird it is blackish cinereous. Length 
 about 6 inches ; of wing 3£ ; tail" 2 T 6 - ths. 
 
 109. — P. Suecica. — M. Suecica, L. — Hoosenee Pidda, H. — Blue 
 throated Redstart. 
 
 I have not seen this beautiful Redstart in the Carnatic ; and in the 
 Deccan, it is far from being common, and is only found during the cold 
 season, from October till March. It frequents thick hedges, gardens, 
 sugar cane fields, and long grass or weeds in beds of tanks, &.c. ; occa- 
 sionally coming close to houses; and feeds on the ground, on which it 
 runs along picking up various insects, and does not return go quickly to 
 its perch, I think, as the last species ; neither has it that peculiar quiver- 
 ing of the tail, though while feeding on the ground, it occasionally jerks 
 it up. It generally, wlien observed, tries to conceal itsell among tl>e 
 bushes it frequents. Few of those I have seen were in perfect plum- 
 age. Irides dark brown ; bill and legs brownish. Length nearly 6 
 inches; of wing 2 T Vhs; tail 2. 
 
 Genus PHILOMELA, Swains. 
 
 1 10.— P. Orphea. — S. Orphea, Teram ? — P. vielanocephala ? 111. Or- 
 nith. — Largest Blackcap. 
 
 Though I am far from certain that my specimens are identical with 
 the European bird, yet from the brief and imperfect description I possess, 
 
268 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 I conclude they may be so, if indeed it is not the species referred to in 
 Swainson's Synopsis as P. melanocephala, a description of which I have 
 not seen. This bird is found during the cold weather in hedges, thic- 
 kets, large trees and gardens, and even on the low bushes on the plains. 
 It is active and restless, moving about from branch to branch, clinging 
 to the twigs, and feeding on various insects, grubs, caterpillars, also on 
 flower buds. I have seen it alone, and also two or three together. It is 
 rather an uncommon bird. I have seen it occasionally in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Jaulnah, and on one occasion only in the Carnatic. 
 
 I shall here add a brief description. Head, face and back of neck, 
 black in the male ; dark slaty in the female ; back and wings brownish 
 ash grey; quills dusky brown; tail greyish black ; external feathers 
 white, with black shaft, and edged internally with blackish; next three 
 feathers tipped with white; beneath white, with a reddish tinge on 
 breast and belly; bill blackish horn colour; legs reddish brown. Irides 
 dull greenish yellow. Length (U to ^ inches; bill \ inch to front 
 wing. 
 
 Genus CURRUCA, Swains. — Phoolareea, II. — i. e. Flower eater or 
 Floiotr pecker. 
 
 111. — C. cinerea, Selby. — S. cinrrea, Temm. — White-throat. 
 
 Though I have the same uncertainty with regard to this species as 
 the last, I shall refer it at once to the European bird, giving a brief 
 description to determine it more exactly. This is more common than 
 the last species, but like it is only found during the cold season, re- 
 maining till March. It frequents similar situations, and has similar 
 habits and food. I have sometimes seen them feeding on the same tree. 
 On one occasion I observed it in the month of March very numerous in 
 a hedge row in the Carnatic, and found it had been feeding on the pupae 
 of some ants, to seize which it hopped down on the ground ; feeds also 
 much on flower buds. I frequently have heard its pleasant warbling 
 song. Irides of a reddish brown yellow. 
 
 Description. — Head and neck cinereous; ears dark; rest of outer 
 tail feather nearly all white; rest tipped with white only ; the plumage 
 above reddish cinereous ; wings and tail brownish; throat white; rest 
 beneath white, with a tinge of reddish; bill and legs brown. Irides 
 brownish vellow. Length oi to 6 inches. 
 

 
 
MADRAS JOURNAL 
 
 LITERATURE AND SCIENCE. 
 
 No. 26 — January 1840. 
 
 I. — Catalogue of the Birds of the Peninsula of India, arranged ac- 
 cording to the modern system of Classification ; with brief Notes on 
 their Habits and Geographical distribution, and description of new 
 doubtful and imperfectly described Species. — By T. C. Jerdon, Assis- 
 tant Surgeon, 2d Madras Light Cavalry. 
 
 {Continued from No. 25 page 269.) 
 
 Sub Family SYLVIAN^.— Small Warblers. 
 Genus ORTHOTOMUS, Hoisf.— Tailor Bird. 
 
 114. — O. Benneltii, Sykes.— O. Sphenurus, Swains. ?— S. ruficapMa, 
 Hutton, J. A. S. [of Bengal, No. 22.-5. longicauda, Vieill. Encycl. 
 Method, p. 456.-5. Guzuratta, Lath. Young bird ?—Phootkee, H.— 
 True Tailor bird. 
 
 The long celebrated, and notorious Tailor Bird, about which so much 
 was said, and, till lately, so little known, appears to have been first de- 
 scribed accurately as such by Lieut. Hutton, in the work referred to, 
 and his specific name should, strictly speaking, be affixed to it, but as 
 liis description has probably not been so numerously circulated as that 
 given by Colonel Sykes, with the correct modern generic name also, 
 it would perhaps, be more injurious than otherwise to attempt to restore 
 its legal name, and, moreover, if priority alone was to be consulted, 
 the name applied by Yieillot has the preference. The S. Sutoria of 
 
2 Catalogue of the Birds [Jaw. 
 
 Latham is most probably a fictitious species, and the Tailor Bird de- 
 scribed and figured by Forbes in his Oriental Memoirs, appears to be 
 a Cinnyrls (C. purparala), which builds a somewhat similarly con- 
 structed nest. 
 
 The Tailor Bird is tolerably common in most wooded districts, and 
 universally spread, frequenting cultivated ground, especially gardens, 
 groves of tree.-, and also found in high jungle, in the more open spaces. 
 It lives in pairs or in small flocks, incessantly hopping about the 
 branches of trees and shrubs, peas and other vegetables, with a loud 
 reiterated note, and picking various insects (chiefly ants and small 
 larvae) off the bark and leaves, and not unfrequently seeking them on 
 the ground. It has the habit of frequently jerking up its tail while 
 feeding or hopping about, and at times (especially when calling) it has 
 the power of raising the feathers on the lower part of its throat, and 
 displaying on either side a small black stripe. This has been noted 
 by no one except Lieut. Hutton. The Phootkee has various notes, one 
 of which sounds like /tree, twee, twee, as mentioned by Colonel Sykes, 
 and another which is generally used when alarmed or angry, and sounds 
 like chick, chick, chick chichy, chick. It is a familiar bird, and ventures 
 close to houses, but when observed becomes wary. 
 
 The Tailo7'Bird's nest truly merits all the praise and wonder that have 
 been bestowed on it. I have seen several, and can bear testimony to 
 the accuracy of Colonel Sykes' and Lieut. Hutton' 8 accounts of it, as 
 also to the accuracy of the coloured drawing of one which accompanied) 
 a representation of this species in Guerin's ' Migasin de Zoologie.' 
 Colonel S. has, however, on some occasion probably mistaken the nest 
 of some other bird for it, as he says in his account of the nest and 
 eggs,* that the latter are crimson, whereas in two instance-, in which 
 they were observed by me, they were white, spotted chiefly at the 
 larger end with reddish brown, as described by Lieut. Hutton. 
 
 Length about G inches (to tip of longest tail feather); of wing about 
 2; tail I ,V ns ; centre feather of ditto 1 inch more; tarsus - 8 -ths. 
 Irides orange buff; bill brown above, flesh coloured below ; legs flesh 
 coloured. 
 
 115. — O. Lingoo, Sykes. 
 
 I have not hitherto procured this bird of which Colonel Sykes says 
 
 * Proceedings of Zoological Society for 1^4. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 3 
 
 " differs from the type of Orthotonus in its short tail. Principal food 
 black ants. Length 5 ^ths ; tail 2 T , T th." 
 
 Gen. PRINIA, Horsf.— Pil-pittee, U.— Wren Warbler. 
 
 This genus, or sub-genus perhaps, though not admitted by Swain- 
 son, I am inclined to adopt in consequence of the well denned group 
 of Indian birds classed under it, which do not exactly correspond with 
 any of Swainson's, though they nearly approach to Drymoica (a sub- 
 genus of Malurus), and probably connect it to Orthotonus, with which 
 they are also strongly allied. All the species I have noticed, have simi- 
 lar manners and habits. In this respect they somewhat approach the 
 Thimalioe or Babblers, which they perhaps represent in this family, 
 as well in their long, indistinctly barred tail, long legs, short wings, 
 and. other structural points, as in their occasionally associating in 
 small flocks, and their incessant calling. 
 
 116 — P. socialls, Sykes. — Ash-coloured Wren Warbler. 
 
 This species of Piinia is unequally distributed over the peninsula, 
 being tolerably common in some localities, and rarely met with in 
 others. In the Carnatic, I have met it among reeds and long grass, 
 by the side of rivers and tanks ; on the west coast in similar situations, 
 and much more common ; while I have hitherto seen it but rarely in 
 the table land. On the Neilgherries near Coonoor and Kofagherry, it 
 is very abundant in dry bushy ground. 
 Colonel Sykes says of this species " has the same ingenious nest, and 
 has the same habits and note, and feeds in the same manner as 0. Ben- 
 nett ii." I have not verified this observation as to the nidification of this 
 bird, and have found the nest of another species to be very different. 
 Irides orange buff; bill black ; legs flesh coloured yellow. Length 5 T %ths; 
 wing rather more than 2; tail 2 T 3 7 ths; tarsus ,Vhs. 
 
 117.— P. gracilis, Franklin. — Small Wren Warbler. 
 
 This species much resembles the last in colour, but is much smaller, 
 white below, instead of fawn colour, and I have only hitherto found it 
 in wooded places and jungly districts (frequenting trees as well as bushes) 
 in the west coast, and northern part of the table land. 
 
4 Catalogue of the Birds [Jaw, 
 
 118— P. inornata, Sykes. — Common Wren Warbler. 
 
 This is a very common bird in all parts of the peninsula, frequenting 
 low bushes on the open plains, hedges, low trees, grain-fields, &c. It is 
 found generally in pairs, or sometimes in small flocks, feeds on ants, 
 larvae and various insects, and endeavours to conceal itself in the thick 
 bushes or hedges, and on being driven away flies off to the nearest bush 
 or tree with the low jerking flight common to others of the genus. I 
 once procured the nest of this species, it was open at the top, neatly 
 enough made with grass, well interwoven, without any lining, and fix- 
 ed in a low bush, very near the ground : it contained four blue eggs. 
 Irides, brownish yellow; bill, brown above, yellowish below. Length 
 about 5 inches; wing l T q „ths; tail 2 T 3 „ths ; tarsus about -j-V DS - 
 
 1 19. — P. Macroura, Fiankl. Cat. — Long tailed Wren Warbler. 
 
 This is a very closely allied species to the last, though perfectly dis- 
 tinct, differing in the more reddish or fawn tint of the brown, and the 
 more rufous tint of the white. It is much more rare than the last, and 
 prefers more jungly and wooded places. Length of one specimen 6 
 inches; of tail, rather more than 3; wing hardly 1-JLths; taisus T «;ths. 
 Irides, brownish orange; bill brown, pale yellow at the base of the 
 lower mandible. 
 
 120. — P. sylvatica. — New species ?— Jungle Wren Warbler. 
 
 Descr. — Above olive brown ; below and superciliary mark white, 
 tinged with yellowish; tail obsoletelv barred, with a larger bar at the 
 tip, and terminated by white, except in the centre feathers; bill strong 
 black; legs flesh coloured. Irides orange buff. Length 6 inches; 
 wing 2-^-ths ; tail 2/-ths ; tarsus nearly one inch. 
 
 I have only seen this species hitherto in open forest jungle in the Se- 
 goor pass of the Neilghenies. 
 
 121.— -P. rujtfrons.— New species ?— Red-fronted Wren Warbln: 
 
 Descr. — Forehead and head rufous; above greenish ash coloured; 
 beneath white ; tail brown, and except in the centre feathers, broadly 
 terminated by white, especially the outer feathers. Bill brown, pale be- 
 low; legs flesh coloured. Irides pale orange buff. Length 5 inches, 
 wing rather more than 2 T Vth ; tail 2 T ^ths; tarsus T yhs. I have only 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 5 
 
 seen this apparently new species in low thick jungle in the neighbour* 
 hood of Jaulnah. It associates in small flocks; is very war)', flying 
 before you from bush to bush, with a low chirping note, and so much 
 the manners of a Thimalia, that I at first mistook it for one. 
 
 122.-P. cursitans, Frankl. Cnt-Ghas kaPhootkee, or Gluts ka Pit. 
 pittee— Grass warbler— Meadow Wren Warbler. 
 
 This curious lark-plumaged little species of Prima frequents 
 long grass, whether on sides of nullah,, or in the open plains 
 and is far from being uncommon in most of the large rumnahs 
 of the table land. I have also seen it in the west coast. When 
 disturbed it takes a short interrupted flight, and on seating it 
 self hides among the tufts of grass, and often runs several yards It 
 feeds on ants, the larva of .mall grasshoppers, and various other in- 
 sects. This bird if not an aberrant species of Swainson's genus Pratt- 
 cola, is probably a link joining it to the Prima. It differs from the 
 character of Praticola in its shorter hind claw, and unnotched bill 
 Ir.des brownish yellow; bill brownish above, pale below; I e « flesh 
 coloured. Length 4 to 4* inches; of wing 2 ; tail nearly 2° tarsus 
 nearly T yhs. I have specimens smaller than this in every resnect 
 killed below the ghauts. 7 ies P ect > 
 
 Sub Genus SYLVIA.— True Warbler. 
 123.— S. Montana, Horsf. 
 
 This species (if truly distinct), which differs from the next only in 
 ize, is rare in the peninsula. 1 possess but one specimen, the locality 
 of which I have mislaid. Length S^ths; wing2 T yhs; fail rather more 
 than 2 ; tarsus, A ths ; first quill feather very minute and sharp pointed, 
 2d quill feather longer than the 6th. 
 
 si 
 
 124.— 5. Rama, Sykes.— Village Warbler. 
 
 This is a tolerably abundant bird in most parts of India, frequenting 
 hedges, gardens and trees, in cultivated ground, and near villages T°t 
 is lively and active, hopping about the branches, and capturing various 
 small insects, occasionally on the wing, but generally on the branches 
 or leaves. It has a rather harsh chuckling note which it incessan.lv 
 
6 Catalogue of the Birds [Jan. 
 
 utters on being approached, and endeavours to hide itself, creeping to 
 the farther side of the tree. Some time ago a nest, carelessly put toge- 
 ther with twigs and grass, containing 4 pure white eggs, was brought 
 to me as the nest of this species. It was found in a hedge. Irides yel- 
 lowish brown ; bill brown above, yellowish below ; feet flesh coloured 
 yellow. Length 4 T Vths ; fail about 2 inches; wing to end of 3d quill 
 2 T 4 5 -ths; 1st a spurious quill feather larger and more rounded than in 
 the last, and the 2d is only equal to the 7ih. 
 
 125. — 5. Trochilus ? — Willow Warbler of Europe. 
 
 I possess a single specimen, of what I suppose is this bird, obtained 
 lately in a wooded valley, along the edge of the northern range of 
 ghauts. It appeared active and lively in its habits, occasionally flying 
 from some reeds, and perching on a stone in a brook, and from thence 
 making short sallies after insects in the air, or seizing one on the sand 
 of the rivulet. I shall here add a brief description of my specimen. 
 Above brownish olive ; beneath whitish, tinged with yellow on the un- 
 derwing, and tail coverts also on the outer edge of the wing. Length 
 not quite 5 inches ; of wing 2h ; bill and legs brownish black. 
 
 126. — S. hippolais f — Chif-chaff of Europe. 
 
 I possess specimens of what I shall consider as this bird, till they 
 have been examined and identified in Europe. I procured them in the 
 elevated district of Wynaad, and on the Neilgherries. Two of the spe- 
 cimens have their plumage consisting entirely of green and yellow, but 
 these, I see, are considered by Yarrell as young birds. They were seen 
 hopping briskly about the branches of high trees. Irides light brown. 
 Length 4 T fi ths ; wing 2 T 3 ths ; tail l T Vths ; bill much wider than in 
 the last species. 
 
 127. — S. Indica. — New species ? 
 
 This warbler somewhat approaches the description of 5. Javanica of 
 Horsfield, bat differs in wanting the fulvous hue of the forehead and 
 chin. 1 have hitherto seen it but rarely, and only in the more northern 
 parts of the tableland, during the cold weather. I saw it frequenting 
 trees, hopping briskly about the smaller twigs ; also on one occasion on 
 a bush on the side of a precipitous rocky mountain. 
 
1 840.] of the Peninsula of India. 7 
 
 Descr. — Above olive grey ; beneath olivaceous yellow ; eye-streak 
 bright yellow ; bill brown above, yellowish below ; legs greenish 
 brown. Length 5 inches ; of wing 2 T %ths ; tail about 2 ; tarsus i 8 oths. 
 
 Sub Family PARIAN^.— Tits. 
 
 Sub Genus ZOSTEROPS, Horsf. and Vig.— White-eye. 
 
 128. — Z.Maderaspatensis, — Mot. Maderaspatana,\j. — S.leuccps, Vieill. 
 Encycl. Meth. p. 441. — S. palpebrosa, Temm. P. C. — Indian White-eye. 
 
 This pretty plumaged little bird I have hitherto found in greatest 
 abundance on the summit of the Neilgherries. Towards the more 
 northern portion of the table land, it begins to occur, though spa- 
 ringly, in the more wooded parts ; and it is of tolerably frequent occur- 
 rence among the more wooded valleys of the northern ghauts. On the 
 Neilgherries it frequents both the thick woods and gardens, and in the 
 latter may often be seen clinging to the flower stalks, extracting the 
 minute insects that infest flowers, by the pollen of which its forehead 
 is often powdered. It feeds generally in small flocks, is lively and 
 brisk in its movements, and keeps up a continual feeble twitter. Irides 
 light yellowish brown; bill blackish ; legs horn coloured. Length 
 about 4^ inches ; wing 2 T 1 -ths ; tail ly^ths. 
 
 Sub Genus PA RUS.— Tit. 
 
 129. — P. atriceps, Horsf.— Black-headed Tit. 
 
 I have only seen this Indian Til towards the south of the peninsula 
 on the Neilgherries, where it is common in the woods, associating in 
 small families, and feeding on various insects and seeds, to obtain 
 which it occasionally resorts to the gardens. I have seen it once or 
 twice only along the range of northern ghauts, but it probably is to be 
 found all along the range of western ghauts, as it is enumerated in 
 the catalogues both of Colonel Sykes and Mr. Elliot. 
 
 130. — P. Xanthogenys. — Yellow cheeked Tit. 
 
 This species is also an inhabitant of the Neilgherries, but I only ob- 
 served it in the warmer parts about the edges of the hills. I have 
 
3 Catalogue of the Birds [Jan. 
 
 hitherto observed it in no other locality, but it is mentioned in Mr 
 Elliot's catalogue, as well in Colonel Sykes'. Food and habits of the 
 last. Irides light brown. 
 
 131.— P. melanolophus, Vigors.— Gould's Cent. 
 
 I have only observed this pretty little species in Goomsoor, where I 
 found it frequenting lofty trees in open spaces in the jungle. 
 
 132.— P. ? minutus—tiev/ species? 
 
 I lately obtained in a wooded valley at the edge of the northern 
 ghauts a single specimen of a small species of Tit, but unfortunately 
 in imperfect plumage. It has the upper surface of the body of a 
 greenish ash colour, tinged on the forehead, rump, and upper tail coverts 
 with greenish yellow; beneath cinereous white, tinged in spots with 
 light yellow; wing coverts edged with greenish yellow ; bill and legs 
 lead colour. Irides light brown. Total length about 3 T yhs of an 
 inch; of wing 2 T V hs 5 tail Hi tarsus -i^ths. Its bill is larger, and 
 less robust than in the Tits, in general approaching that of /Egithalus. 
 
 Sub Genus PARISOMA, Sw. ? — Vieill. — Sect. 1. Swains.? 
 
 133.— P. ? vireoides.— New species. ?—OIiie Tit. 
 
 This curious little bird appears to be a link joining the Pariana to 
 the VireoincB. It has the bill considerably more strongly developed 
 than in Parisoma, as described and figured by Swainson, but as it 
 otherwise appears to agree with it, may be considered as an aberrant 
 species. I first obtained this Tit in open spaces in the jungle in Goom- 
 soor, and have lately observed it in lofty trees towards the more 
 northern portion of the table land. It associates in small flocks, and 
 frequents the highest branches, hopping briskly about, and diligent- 
 ly examining the leaves, fruit and flowers for various insects. I found 
 its food to consist of small spiders, insects, eggs and larvae, aphides 
 and various other minute insects. 
 
 Descr.—Ahoxe, greenish olive ; wings and tail brownish ; the feathers 
 of the former edged with light olive, and those of the tail tipped with 
 white; beneath, dirty greenish white; bill and legs lead colour. 
 Irides orange yellow. Total length 4 inches; wing 2 T Vhs; < ;lil 
 I T a ths; tarsus T Vths. 
 
1S40.] of the Peninsula of India. 9 
 
 Sub Family MOTACILLINiE.— Wagtails. 
 
 Gen. BUDYTES, Cuv. 
 
 134. — B. ciireola. — Yellow headed Wagtail. 
 
 This species is occasionally met with in most parts of India, during 
 the cold season, but is not nearly so abundant as the next species. I 
 have seen it on the banks of rivers, and also in wet paddy-fields. 
 
 135. — B. neglecta, Gould. — B. Bcema, Sykes. — B.Jlava, of Continen- 
 tal authors. — Peelkya, H. — Yellow Wagtail. 
 
 The B- Beema of Sykes, appears to be identical with the species 
 from the continent of Europe, lately pointed out by Gould, as differing 
 from the B.Jlava of Britain. 
 
 The Peelkya is an extremely common bird in all parts of India, dining 
 the cold weather, remaining till April. It associates together occasi- 
 onally in large flocks, frequenting damp spots of ground near tanks, and 
 marshy places, but also the grain-fields, and dry plains, feeding among 
 cattle. Single birds, however, or two or three together, are not un- 
 commonly seen about houses, and in gardens, sometimes perching on 
 trees, or the top of a house, or wall. It feeds on various minute insects 
 and their larvae. 
 
 136. — B. melanocephala, Sykes. — Black headed Wagtail. 
 
 I am very doubtful if this is a distinct species from the last. It is 
 generally found in company with it, and I have seen many specimens 
 during the moulting, when there were only a[few feathers on the head, 
 that had assumed the black. I have a specimen with the head of a lead 
 colour, and a stripe from the angle of the mouth to the ears only black, 
 without any superciliary stripe. This is probably the female, whether 
 it Be a distinct species, or only the winter plumage of the last. Habits 
 and food, same as the last. 
 
 136. — bis. — B. Jlava, Ray, Gould.— Yellow Wagtail of British au- 
 thors. 
 
10 Catalogue of the Birds [Jak. 
 
 If the yellow superciliary mark be an unerring characteristic of this 
 British bird, it may also be enumerated as a winter visitant to India. I 
 have shot it in company with B. neglecla, and the last. 
 
 Gen. MOTACILLA, Auct.— True Wagtail 
 
 137- — M. boarula. — Wood or Jungle Wagtail. 
 
 This species is numerous on the Neilgherries, where it frequents run- 
 ning streams, also enters gardens, &c. It is very abundant on the 
 passes leading up to the hills, hopping along the road, and flying before 
 a traveller, often for some distance. I have once or twice seen it lately 
 in woody streams in the more northern portion of the table land, during 
 the cold weather only. 
 
 138. — M. Maderaspatensis, Auct. — M. pica/a, Frankl. — M.varicgata, 
 Steph. — Mhumoola, II. — Indian Black and Whilt Wagtail. 
 
 This species is found throughout the peninsula, only in beds of rivers. 
 Length nearly 9 inches; tail 4; wing 3, 8 oths. 
 
 139.— M. variegata, Vieill.— Encycl. Method, p. 408. 
 
 I have not myself met with this species, which Mr. Elliot's notes 
 have made known to me as an Indian bird, and from which 1 take the 
 following description, *' Above brown cinereous ; Uneath white ; wings 
 medial; tail feathers (not the centre ones), and two chest-bauds, black; 
 eye-brows, two diagonal bars on the coverts, and an imperfect third one 
 on the quills, and ends of two outer rectrices, white ; two brownish 
 lines down the throat. Length 6A inches." I see this is also enume- 
 rated by M. Lesson, as an inhabitant of Bengal. 
 
 140.— M. alba, A\ict.~Mot. Dukhunensis, Sykes. —Dhobeen, H. 
 
 I have not hitherto observed this species in the Camatic, but it is 
 very common over most of the table land, during the cold weather ouly, 
 migrating to the north, at the commencement of the hot season. It 
 frequents rivers, open fields, gardens, villages, stable yards, &c, and 
 occasionally even enters houses, feeding on a great variety of insects. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 11 
 
 Genus ANTHUS. 
 
 I shall under this genus, enumerate two species, which although they 
 do not exactly come under Swainson's restricted definition, are yet 
 considered as Anthi,hy most authors, and they have more of the manners 
 of this family than of the Larks, with which Swainson has very pro- 
 perly, I think, associated most of the species, of the Anthus, of older 
 authors. 
 
 141. — A. arbor eus ? — Tree Pipit ?. — Musarichee, H. 
 
 This species, so much resembles the description of the Tree Pipit of 
 Europe, that in the absence of more precise information, I shall consi- 
 der it as such. It is only a visitor, during the cold weather, coming in 
 October, and remaining till April or May. Associates generally in 
 small flocks, frequenting beds of wooded streams, edges of tanks, and 
 other moist places. Is also found in grain-fields, gardens, and groves 
 of trees. It feeds partly on the ground, on various insects, and also 
 on grain, and on being disturbed flies up to the nearest tree. It fre- 
 quently, however, feeds on trees, hopping about the upper branches, 
 like a Sylvia, and occasionally even snapping at an insect on the wing. 
 Mr. Elliot says, " Its flesh is used by falconers as a restorative to the 
 Bhyree, and is said to be very delicate.'' Length 6| inches j wing 3h 
 
 142.— A. Richardi ? 
 
 It is with some hesitation, that I consider the specimen, which I 
 possess, to be the same as the Anthus Richardi, but as it appears to 
 agree with many of the characters, as given in the descriptive works I 
 possess, I shall do so provisionally, till correct information be obtained. 
 
 I have only met with this bird, on one occasion, on the banks of the 
 Tumbuddra. It was in pairs, and its manner of flight was exactly 
 similar to that of the Wagtails. 
 
 Descr. — Above olive brown, shaded with dusky, and many of the 
 feathers edged with whitish ; beneath whitish, the breast streaked 
 with brownish, and a brown streak running down from the base of lower 
 mandible on either side. Irides brown. Length 7£ inches ; wing 
 3-^ths; tail about 3; tarsus l T Vths; hind toe liVtha (with claw); 
 claw alone T 6 »ths. 
 
12 Catalogue of the Birds [Jas. 
 
 Fam. MUSCICAPID^, Swains.? 
 
 Sub Fam. MUSCICAPIN.E, Sw.— True Flycatchers. 
 
 Genus RHIPIDURA, Vig. and Horsf. 
 
 Sub Genus LEUCOCIRCA, Swains.— Fanla'ded Flycatcher. 
 
 143.— L. albo-frontala. — R. albo-frontala, Frankl. — White browed 
 Fanta'd.—Mucchureea (i. e. Mosquito catcher), H. — Manatee, Mai. 
 
 This pretty and lively Fhjcatcher, is only to be met with in the 
 southern parts of the peninsula, in well wooded districts, and open 
 forest jungle, as in Travancore and Malabar. I have never seen it in the 
 Carnatic. Towards the northern part of the table land, however, it 
 is much more common, being met with during the cold weather in 
 every clump of trees, and in wooded nullahs, indeed, throughout the 
 year. It is a most active and restless little creature, continually flit- 
 ting about, from branch to branch, snapping up an insect on the wing, 
 every now and then, and raising its outspread tail, and lowering its 
 wings, whenever it reseats itself on a twig. It, is by far the most rest- 
 less of all the Indian Flycatchers, seldom returning to the same perch, 
 but traversing successively all the branches of the large trees it de- 
 lights to frequent. It is by no means uncommon in gardens, seating 
 itself on the sticks of peas or beans. I have once or twice seen it 
 perched on the back of a cow, that was laying down beneath a tree, and 
 pursuing insects from this unusual perch. I have also seen it on the 
 ground, near a thick hedge side. It has a very sweet little song, which 
 it warbles forth every now and then, consisting of several notes follow- 
 ing each other regularly in the descending scale. Its chief food is 
 small sof -winged insects, especially musquitoes. Its Malyalam 
 name signifies ' washerwoman,' and is given from the continual motion 
 of its tail, hides dark brown ; bill and legs black. Length ab.mt 7 
 inches ; tail 3 T 7 ,ths ; wing 3 ,yhs ; tarsus -p^ths. 
 
 144. — L. fuscovenlris.—Ii. fuscoventris, Frankl. 
 
 I have not hitherto shot this species, and have only once observed 
 it in low bushy ground on the. Neilgherries. Colonel S\kes mentions- 
 it as frequenting the same localities as the last species. 
 
14 Catalogue of the Birds [J as. 
 
 less sedentary in their habits, tlian the true Muscicapm, and have the 
 habit of wandering more from tree to tree, and less frequently returning 
 to the same perch. This, in accordance withLe Vaillant's observations, 
 as mentioned by Swainson. The flight of this species is very elegant. 
 I always observed it single. I have not had the means hitherto of 
 verifying Colonel Sykes' remarks on the females of this and the next 
 species. The female of this as described by Colonel Sykes, appears to 
 be identical with the supposed new species of Swainson, figured in his 
 volume on Flycatchers, in the Naturalists' Library, under the name of M. 
 leucogaster. Length about 10 inches; of wing 3jVth ; tail 5 to 6 in- 
 ches ; tarsus T 7 oths ; bill to front -, 7 o-'hs ; at gape l-j-Vh ; bill and na- 
 ked skin round eye of a delicate lilac blue colour; feet plumbeous. 
 Iiides deep brown. 
 
 1 17.— M. Indica, Steph.— M. castanea, Temm. —Shah Bulbul, or Sul- 
 lana Bulbul, H. — Long- tailed red Flycatcher. 
 
 The. Sultana Bulbul is more common, and more generally spread than 
 the last, though far from being abundant. Food, manners and habits of 
 the last. Dimensions, &c. as in M. Paradisi. 
 
 Sut Genus MUSCICAPA, Sw. 
 
 148.— M. ccprulca, Veiell. Encyl. p. 807.— M. occipitalis, Vig. Proc 
 Z. S. for 1831. — Black-naprd Blue Flycatcher. — M. tceruleoccphala, 
 Sykes' Cat. Young bird ?—Gobe-mouche bleu des Philippines, Buffon. 
 PI. En. No. 666, fig. I. 
 
 The M. occipitalis of Vigors, appears to be identical with the bird 
 previously named as above. It is very rare in the peninsula. I have 
 only seen it twice, once on the Coonoor pass of the Neilgherries, and 
 again in the Wynaad, in both places in dense jungle. I have also seen 
 a specimen shot in the Malabar Coast. At the times I observed, it was 
 flying from tree to tree, remaining on each a short time, and capturing 
 an insect or two, and then resuming its flight. The form of this Fly- 
 catcher is peculiarly slender and delicate, differing much from the more 
 rounded and compact forms of the true Muscicapa;. Irides deep 
 brown; bill bluish; legs bluish black. Length 6 inches ; of wing to 
 end of 5th quill 2 T Vths ; of tail 2| ; tarsus J^ths ; bill to front T yhs ; to 
 gape -, G ths. This is evidently an aberrant species, leading to Myia- 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 15 
 
 yra by its long tail (which is slightly rounded), and other peculiarities 
 of form. 
 
 149.— M.pallipes.— New species ?— 71/. Indigo, Horsf. ?— White bel- 
 lied blue Flycatcher. 
 
 This species resembles much the description of M. Indigo of Hors- 
 field, but that is said to be only 4£ inches long (GiirT. Cuvier), and is 
 therefore perhaps distinct. I have only shot a single specimen of this 
 species, in thick forest on the Coonoor ghaut, where I observed it dart- 
 ing on insects from its perch on a low branch. 
 
 Descr.— Entirely of a deep indigo blue, except belly and under tail 
 coverts, which are white ; wings and tail dusky on their inner webs ; 
 bill, black ; legs, feet, and claws pale whitish flesh-colour. Irides deep 
 brown. Length about 6| inches; of wing 3 T 'o ths ; tail 2£ ; tarsus 
 more than T 7 o ths ; bill to front about -^ths ; to gapeAths; the 5th 
 and 6th quills are subequal and longest, and the tail is nearly even. 
 
 150. — M. Banyumas, Horsf. — Red breasted blue Flycatcher-. 
 
 This pretty little species, is spread, though sparingly, throughout In- 
 dia, and I have met it wherever there was much wood, in Goomsoor, in 
 the Northern Circars, at the Tapoor pass, in the Carnatic, and on the 
 west coast, where it is of tolerably frequent occurrence. I have also 
 seen it in the northern part of the bare table land, once in a clump of 
 trees near a village, and again in a jungly nullah. It feeds in general, 
 like its congeners, from a fixed perch, catching its prey on the wing, 
 but 1 have repeatedly seen it descend to the ground to pick up an in- 
 sect, and even hop a step or two whilst down. 
 
 The structure of its bill is similar to that of the last, viz. long and 
 tapering, and the 4th and 5th quills are subequal and longest ; bill 
 black; legs brownish. Irides deep brown. Length rather more than 
 5£ inches; wing2 r yhs; tail 2 T 3 oths ; tarsus -rVtbs ; bill to front T 4 o ths ; 
 to gape - 7 th s . 
 
 151. — 71/. melanopa, Vig. — Gould's Cent. — Pale blue Flycatcher. 
 
 I possess two specimens, of what I consider to be this species, as well 
 from the drawing in Gould's Century, as from the description. The 
 one I procured in Goomsoor, the other in a jungly valley at the edge 
 
IG 
 
 Catalogue of the Birds [Jan. 
 
 of (he northern ghauts near Ajunteli. It captures its insect prey on the 
 wing, as well as occasionally on the ground, returning to the same 
 perch. Length about 6 inches ; of wing 3 T % ths ; tail 3 inches j tarsus 
 jyhs; bill to front T yh.s ; to gape T yhs ; bill and legs black, hides 
 de°ep brown ; bill short triangular— 4th quill the longest, 3dsubequalto 
 the 5 th. 
 
 152.— M. albi-caudata.—Nevr speeies ?— Kt.JkalaasiHa, Swains.*— 
 
 While tailed or Ne'dgherry Blue Flycatcher. 
 
 Descr.—Ql a deep indigo blue colour, inclining to lazuline on the 
 forehead, head and shoulders ; belly ashy blue mingled with whitish; 
 under tail covert whitish, barred with dusky blue; wings and tail dusky 
 black; the feathers edged with blue, and those of the tail (the centre 
 feathers excepted) white at their base ; bill and legs black. Irides deep 
 brown. Length 6£ inches; of wing 3 T yhs; tail 2 T yhs ; tarsus 
 T yhs; bill to front T yhs; to gape-^ths; bill rather longer and 
 less triangular than in M. melanops, not so long as in M. pallipes and 
 M. hamjumas—W\\ and 5th quills equal and longest. 
 
 I have hitherto only found this species on the Neilgherries, in the 
 dense woods of which it is far from being uncommon. It captures in- 
 sects of various kinds on the wing, from a fixed perch, occasionally a 
 small flock of five or six of them are seen together in a state of con- 
 tinual movement, taking short darts and gambols in the air, as much in 
 sport apparently, as in actual pursuit of insects. 
 
 153.— M. superciliaris.— New species?.— Whitebrowed blue Flycatcher. 
 
 Descr.— Above and sides of the breast, of a beautiful light indigo, or 
 rather prussian blue, beneath; superciliary stripe extending to some 
 distance behind the eyes, and base of the tail ; feathers (except the 
 central ones), pure snowy white. Some of the feathers of the rump 
 with the shaft, and a bar in the middle of the feather, also white; 
 bill and legs black. Irides deep brown. Length 4;| inches; wing 
 2 T yhs; tail I T yhs; tarsus T ybs; bill to front T yhs; to gape^tbij 
 bill more lengthened than in the two last, very little compressed ; wings 
 with 4th quill longest, 3d and 5th subequal. 
 
 I lately obtained a single specimen of this beautiful little species, in 
 a wooded valley, at the edge of the range of northern ghauts. 
 
 154.— M. Poonensis, Sykes. — M. latirostris, Swains. Nat. Lib. vol. 
 21 ? — Zukkee, H. — Indian Grey Flycatcher. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 17 
 
 I possess two specimens, which, as they differ'only in size, I consider 
 as identical with the species named as above by Colonel Sykes, and 
 Swainson's supposed new species does not appear to differ from them. 
 The smaller of my specimens was procured in the hot Carnatic, near 
 Trichinopoly, the larger one on the Coonoor pass of the Neilgherries, 
 at a considerable height, I have observed it on several other occasions, 
 both in the Carnatic, and on the Malabar Coast. It feedson insects, which 
 it captures on the wing from a fixed perch, and it is, I think, more seden- 
 tary in its habits than any of the previously described Flycatchers. Bill 
 blackish above, whitish below, except at tip ; irides deep brown ; legs 
 brown. Length of my specimens 5 and 5§ inches ; of the first, the 
 wing is 2 T Vbs; tail 2; tarsus .yhs; bill to front ,V lls ' to g a P e 
 nearly T yhs. In the larger one the wing is 2,'^ths. In both the 3d 
 and 4th quills are equal and longest. 
 
 155. — M. hirundinacea, Horsf., Temm. — 31. picata, Sykes. — Tephro- 
 dornis hirundinaceus, Sw. ? — Black and white Flycatcher. 
 
 This bird has so much the habits, as well the general structure 
 and appearance of a Flycatcher, that I shall for the present here re- 
 tain it, and a closely allied species, although Mr. Swainson has, I see, 
 ranged it as a Tephrodornis. — Vide remarks postea. 
 
 I have only hitherto seen it on the Neilgherries, where it is not very 
 uncommon in the woods, darting upon insects in the air from a branch, 
 and though perhaps it wanders about more than many of the genus, is 
 yet not nearly so restless as the Fantails. Bill and legs black; irides 
 sienna yellow. Length 5| to fi inches ; of wing 2 T 'Vths ; of tail 2 r 4 o t hs; 
 tarsus nearly ^ inch ; bill to front rVths ; at gape T T „ ths. 
 
 156. — M. erythropygia. — New species ? — Tephrodornis ? — Red breasted 
 Flycatcher^ 
 
 Descr. — Male: — plumage above, cheeks and chin, of a glossy blue 
 black; beneath, longitudinal stripe on the wings, and outer edges and 
 tips of the lateral tail feathers, white ; breast and rump of a beautiful 
 orange red, darkest on the rump. 
 
 Female, — with the parts black in the male, of an ashy brown (except 
 the tail which is deep black); feathers at the base of the bill above 
 whitish; rump, outer edges and tips of the lateral tail feathers, and be- 
 neath, white, tinged with ashy on the breast. Bill and legs black; 
 
18 Catalogue of the Birds [Jan. 
 
 irides brownish yellow. Length 6 1 inches ; of wing 2 T Vths ; tail 3r 3 o ths ; 
 tarsus \ inch; bill to front ,Vths; at gape T 6 ^ths. 
 
 I have only once seen this prettily marked species, in low and thick 
 jungle on the top of the ghauts, near Ajunteh, when I fortunately pro- 
 cured both male and female. I found fragments of various insects in 
 their stomachs, but had no opportunity of observing their manner of 
 feeding or other habits. 
 
 These two last species certainly differ from Muscicapa in some par- 
 ticulars. Their tarsi are distinctly scaled, and the bill (especially of 
 the former species), is stronger, more stiiike-hke, and less depressed ; 
 but their small size, the habits ;is observed of the first species, and ge- 
 neral appearance, led me in the first instance to overlook these differ- 
 ences, and I had not observed that Swainsun had described the first asa 
 Teplirodornis, when I was enumerating the species of thatgeuus. 
 
 Tribe CONIROSTRES. 
 
 Familv CORVIDiE. 
 
 Sub Family CORVIN.E. 
 Genus CORVUS.— Crow. 
 157.-— C. splendens, Vieill. — Patee Koiva, II.— Common Crow. 
 
 This is the common crow of India, and is most abundant every where, 
 roosting on high frees, and spreading in the n orning through villages, 
 and cantonments, &c. It is a most, familiar, noisy and impudent bird 
 It breeds on trees in the hot weather. 
 
 15R. — C. macrorl ynchos, Wagl. — C. culminalus, Sykes. — C. cor one, 
 var., Frank!. Cat — Dheree Kowa or Kurrial, H. — Large black crow. — 
 Indian Carrion Crow. 
 
 This species, ihough not so numerous as the last, is yet very abun- 
 dant, and nearly equally troublesome and impudent. It partakes more 
 readily than the last of carrion, and I think the King Crows appear to 
 pursue it with greater hatred than the common crow, so it probably 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 19 
 
 occasionally pilfers their eggs or young. Irides dark brown ; bill and 
 legs black. Length 21 inches ; of wing l3 T Vths ; tail 7| ; tarsus 2£ ; 
 bill to front 2~\ ths ; at gape 2£. 
 
 Sub Family GLAUCOPINiE, Swains. 
 
 Genus CRYPSIRINA, Vieill.— Dendrocitta, Gould. — Tree Crow, 
 or Magpie. 
 
 As Swainson asserts the identity of these two genera, I take the for- 
 mer as being the legal generic name. 
 
 159. — C. vagabunda.—Pica vagabunda, Gould's Cent. pi. 42. — Gray and 
 Hardw. 111. I. Z. — Coracias vagabundus, Lath. — Maha Lat, H. of 
 some Shikarees. — Indian Magpie. 
 
 This bird, the Indian Magpie, is generally spread throughout the 
 South of India, but is only at all plentiful on the well wooded western 
 coast, where it is to be seen and heard in every lofty avenue. In the 
 Carnatic, I have only seen it in the jungly district near Touremcourchy, 
 and in the table land it is also rare, being met with only occasionally 
 in jungly districts, or in the neighbourhood of well wooded villages. 
 It frequents the highest jungles occasionally, not in their densest por- 
 tions, however. This bird is found single or in pairs, occasionally four 
 or five being seen together. It lives, as far as I have ascertained, en- 
 tirely on fruit of different kinds, and is very fond of the fruit of the 
 banian. It has a most peculiar cry, something like the metallic sound 
 of the call of the Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurits retifer), but its usual 
 call is a harsh rattling cry, like that of the European Magpie. Irides 
 blood red ; bill black ; legs slate colour. It is considered by the natives 
 as a kind of Shrike. Length about 16 inches ; wing 6 ; tail 10; tarsus 
 l T Vhs ; bill straight to gape l T Vhs. 
 
 160. — C. lencogaslra. — Dendrocitfa lencogastra, Gould, Trans. Zool. 
 Soc. vol. 1, pi. 12. — Long tailed Magpie. 
 
 This very elegant species is much more rare than the last. I have 
 only seen it in the jungles of Malabar and the Wynaad. It frequents 
 the densest portions of the jungles, and is extremely shy and wary, 
 feeding like the last on various fruit and berries. It has a somewhat 
 
20 
 
 Catalogue of the Birds [Jan. 
 
 similar call. Irides blood red; bill black; feet plumbeous. Length 
 I8i to 19 inches; wing 5% ; tail 12; tarsus l T V bs 5 bil1 straight to 
 gape 1 -rot lis. 
 
 161.— C. Sinensis.— Pica sinensis, Gould's Cent. Him. Bird*, pi. 43. 
 
 I have hitherto not been fortunate enough to procurethis bird, though 
 I think I have observed it in open jungle on the Segoor pass of the 
 Neil cherries ; but I have teen specimens, killed in the eastern range of 
 ghauts. 
 
 Family STURWID M.— Starlings. 
 
 Sub Family STURXIN.E, Swains. 
 
 Gems STURNUS, Lin. 
 
 162.— S. contra, Ginel.— S. capeusis, Lath. — Paster Contra, Wagl. — 
 Buffo n P. E. 2S0. — Indian Starling. 
 
 The Indian Starling occurs in great abundance in the district of the 
 Northern Circars, but, as far as I can learn, in no other part of 
 the peninsula of India. I first met it a few miles to the north of 
 Vizagapatam, and saw it afterwards throughout the whole district to 
 the northward, as far as the Goomsoor country, where it is very numer- 
 ous. It lives in large Hocks, feeding on the ground and associates free- 
 ly with the common Myna. 
 
 I know not if it remains here during the whole season. I saw it in 
 the cold weather. Length 8i inches; wing 4 —I lis ; tail 2f ; tarsus 
 l T %ths ; bill to front T ° l7 ths; straight to gape ly^ths. 
 
 Gems PASTOR.— Myna, H. 
 
 163.— P. tristis, Temin. — Gracula tristis, Lath. — Grac. gryllivora 
 Dand, Buffon P. E. 219.— Myna, H.—Sahenkee, Mah.—Gorwuntra 
 Cau. — Common Myna. 
 
1840.] of flic Peninsula of India. 21 
 
 This well known and common bird is found throughout India, pre- 
 ferring the neighbourhood of cultivation and villages, and never found 
 in high or dense jungle. It roosts in numerous flocks, generally on 
 high trees, and disperses in various parties of two, four, six, or more, 
 about sun-rise. Some enter the villages and cantonments, others attend 
 flocks of sheep or cattle, which they follow while grazing, feeding on 
 the grasshoppers and other insects, disturbed by the treading of the 
 cattle. The Myna also will feed on grain, and seeds of various kinds, 
 and is very fond of white ants. Its flight is swift, steady and direct. 
 It breeds, I am informed, in the holes of old trees, walls, old buildings, 
 &c, during the hot weather, and is said to have 3 or 4 eggs of a green- 
 ish blue colour. It is very often taken when young, and caged, be- 
 coming very familiar, and learning to repeat words and sentences with 
 great ease. Its cries are many and varied, most of them harsh, loud 
 and disagreeable, but it has also some sweet and agreeable notes. 
 Length varies from 10^ to nearly 12 inches. Irides reddish brown, 
 studded (as Colonel Sykes remarks) with whitish specks on their ex- 
 ternal margin ; bill and legs yellow; naked skin round eyes, orange 
 yellow. S/^*s ;~/-/v & Z~£pu^~* y^^^fr ^4- j /^^-^/r^ . 
 
 164.— P. fuscus, Wagl. ?— P. Mahrattensis, Sykes ?—H/U Myna. 
 
 This very closely allied species, I have found, in greatest abundance, 
 on the Neilgherries, where it accompanies cattle like the last (whose 
 place it supplies here), and also frequents gardens, eating various seeds, 
 and fruit. I have also seen this species in the Wynaad, and I think, 
 on one occasion, in Mysore. I have united Colonel Sykes' name to 
 that previously given by Wagler, and have little doubt but that they 
 are the same bird. Colonel Sykes however, says " possesses no crest," 
 and Wagler does not mention one, though he probably infers it, as he 
 says, " very similar to P. Tr/slis." Now my specimens, though they 
 have not the flowing crest of the common Myna, have the feathers of 
 the head lengthened, and those of the forehead are somewhat raised, 
 as in P. cristatellus. It has not the naked yellow skin round the eye 
 of P. trislis. Length 9 to 9J inches ; wing 5; tail 3; tarsus 1 - 4 -ths • 
 bill to front nearly -%ths ; at gape 1 T %ths. Irides greyish white; bill 
 orange yellow ; feet gamboge yellow. 
 
 165. — P. pagodarum, Ternm. — Turdus pagodarum, Gniel. — Le Mar- 
 tin Brame, Le Vaill. Ois. D'Jfr. pi. 95-2.— Popoy a Myna, U.— Brah- 
 
 miuy Myna of Europeans in India. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 23 
 
 bill blue at base, greenish in centre and yellow at tip ; legs reddish 
 yellow ; claws pale yellow. Length S to 8£ inches ; wing 4 T Vhs / 
 tail 2 T Vhs to 3; tarsus 1 inch ; bill to front T Vhs; at gape ly'oth. 
 
 I may here mention, that I think there exists another species of Pastor, 
 nearly allied to this, and differing only in size and in the colour of the 
 head and neck, which are permanently grey, instead of assuming a 
 white plumage. I possess only one specimen of this bird, shot in the 
 Northern Circars, but. have seen and shot jt in the Carnatic, during the 
 cold season, frequenting the tops of high trees. It may be considered 
 as the ycung of P. pagodarum, but besides the difference of size, and 
 various peculiarities of both plumage and structure, as I never saw it 
 in company with it, and have reason to believe that the young birds of 
 the latter early assume the black colour of the head, I think it certainly 
 distinct. Again it may be considered as the young of the P. Malabari- 
 cus, to which it has certainly a strong resemblance ; but as I never 
 saw that species in the Carnatic, nor in the Northern Circars, 1 think 
 that this supposition is also unlikely. If distinct, it may be named P. 
 cincreus. Is this the Gracula cinerea from Bengal, mentioned in Les- 
 son's Traite? Length of my specimen 71 inches ; of wing 4 ; tail 2^ ; 
 tarsus barely 1 ; bill to front -po ths ; at gape about 1 inch. Bill and 
 legs as in Past. Malabaricus, except that the bill is yellow only at the 
 tip, instead of for more than half its length. 
 
 167- — P- rose'ts, Temm. — Tardus roseus, Gmel., Lath. — Tillyer, H.— 
 Cholum bird of Europeans in the Carnatic. 
 
 This well known species makes its appearance in the peninsula of 
 India about the end of November, or beginning of December : asso- 
 ciates in vast flocks, and commits great havoc on the grain-fields, especi- 
 ally in those of Cholum (or Joaree,) {Andropogon Sorghum), whence 
 its common name. When the grain is cut, it occasionally feeds on in- 
 sects, seeking them on the ground, also on various grass seeds, fruit and 
 flower buds. It disappears in March, though straggling parties are 
 met with even in April. The majority of birds in a flock are in im- 
 perfect plumage, the delicate salmon colour of the adult bird being 
 replaced by a dirty fawn colour. 
 
 I extract from Mr. Elliot's notes the following interesting observations 
 on this species. " Is very voracious and injurious to the crops, parti- 
 cularly to the white Jowaree, in the fields of which the fanner is 
 obliged to station numerous watchers, who, with slings, and a long rope 
 
24 
 
 Catalogue of the Birds [Jan. 
 
 or thong (which they crack dexterously, making a loud report), en- 
 deavour to drive the depredators away. The moment the sun appears 
 above the horizon, the TUlyers are on the wing, and at the same instant 
 shouts, cries and the cracking of the long whips, resound from every 
 side. The TUlyers, however, are so active that if they are able 
 to alight on the stalks for an instant, they can pick out several 
 grains. About 9 or 10 o'clock a. m. the exertions of the watchmen 
 cease, and the TUlyers do not renew their plundering till the evening. 
 After sun-set they are seen in flocks of many thousands, retir- 
 ing to the trees and jungles for the night. They prefer the half 
 ripe Jowarree, whilst the farinaceous matter is still soft and milky." 
 Length to 9J inches ; wing 5j ; tail 3 ; tarsus nearly 1 T \ths ; 
 bill to front I^ths; at gape 1 / 5 th. Irides deep brown; bill orange 
 yellow at the base, then pinkish, and brown at the point; legs 
 duskv reddish. 
 
 Gems GRACULA, L.— Eulabes, Cuv. 
 168. — G. religiosa, L.—Kofoiee Myna, H. — Wattled or Jungle Myna. 
 
 This species is only found in lofty jungle, as well in the east as on 
 the west coast. It is by no means common, and seems very partially 
 distributed, as you may piss through miles of forest without seeing a 
 single specimen. It is generally found in small parties of five or six 
 frecpienting the tops of the loftiest trees, and feeding on fruit and 
 berries of various kinds. I never found that insects had formed any 
 portion of its food. The song of this bird is very rich, varied and 
 pleasing, it has, however, several harsher notes frequently heard in the 
 jungles it frequents. The Jungle Myna is now not often seen in cages 
 in the South of India, but it is very highly prized, both for its powers 
 of song and speech, which are said to surpass those of all other birds in 
 distinctness. Irides deep hazel brown ; bill and wattles orange yel- 
 low ; legs bright yellow. Length 10 inches; wing 5 T fi -ths ; tail 2 
 - R -ths i tarsus l-rSi-ths ; bill straight to front 1 : at gape 1 -Aths. 
 
 10" 10' ° '0*10 
 
 It has probably been from erroneous information that this species 
 was named ' religiosa' by Linneeus, as I am not aware of its being 
 considered sacred by the Hindoos, whereas the Pastor Tn'stis, or com- 
 mon Myna is, as I learn from Mr. Elliot's notes, sacred to Ram-deo, on 
 whose hand it sits. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 25 
 
 Family FRINGILLTD.E, Finches. 
 
 Sub Family COCCOTHRAUSTIN^, Swains.— Hard-Wls. 
 
 Genus EUPLECTES, Swains.— Ploceus, Auct. 
 
 169.— tf. PhiUppensis.—Ploc.Philipensis, Auct— Baya, H.— Weaver 
 Bird. 
 
 The weaver bird is found over all the peninsula, but much more 
 abundantly in some situations than in others, being common in the 
 more wooded districts, and though not rare, far from common in the 
 Carnatic, and the bare table land, as you may often pass over large 
 tracts of country without ever seeing it, while in particular spots you 
 find a tolerably large colony of them. The Baya associates in numer- 
 ous flocks, generally builds in company, and almost always in the close 
 vicinity of water. Its long bottle-shaped nest is well known. It feeds 
 on various grass seeds, and also grain, associating sometimes with the 
 Emberiza melamcephala, and sometimes as Colonel Sykes observes 
 with the house sparrows. The flock keeps up a continual chirping. 
 It breeds, I am told, towards the end of the monsoon, and the young ones 
 are ready to fly about the ripening of the first crops of grain. Length 
 about 6 inches; of wing2 T yhs; tail 2; tarsus T yhs. Irides dark 
 brown; bill black; legs yellowish. 
 
 170.— E. Bengalensis.—Loxia Bengalensis, Auct— Cocc. chrysocep- 
 hala, Vieill.— Le gros bee Orchef, Vieill. Encyl. Meth. p. 1008.— j£. a lbU 
 rostris, Sw.? — Bahmunee Baya, H. 
 
 I have not myself met with this species, but find it recorded in Mr. 
 Elliot's notes, as found occasionally in the Southern Mahratra Country. 
 That gentleman says that, "the male has the yellow crown only in 
 the breeding season. At other times only eyebrow and ear spot are 
 yellow. Their nests, though similar, are smaller than those of the common 
 Baya, and have two chambers. Habits the same as those of the Baya. 
 Length 6 inches." 
 
 Major Franklin, I see, has ranged this bird, as an Emberiza, but says 
 its Indian name is Baya, and Mr. Elliot calls it a Ploceus; so, al- 
 though I have not seen if, I range it unhesitatingly as an Euplectes of 
 Swainson. 
 
2S Catalogue of the Birds [Jan. 
 
 Genus AMADINA, Swains. 
 
 Sub Genus ESTRELDA, Swains. 
 
 171. — E. amandava. — Fringilla amandava, L. — Lai (the male), Moo- 
 neah (the female), H. 
 
 This pretty little bird is far from being common in the South of 
 India. I have seen it in greatest abundance on the top of the Neil- 
 gherries, where it frequents meadows and bushy ground, but frequently 
 also enters gardens, and is considered destructive to various seeds, buds, 
 &c. I have seen it only once or twice in the Dei can, in the neighbour- 
 hood of well wooded towns. It is said to be common in some parts of 
 Mysore. Mr. Elliot says, " It is common in Dharwar, particularly in 
 the sugar-cane fields, along with Spermestes Malacca. Though I have 
 never myself observed it in the Carnatic, I am informed it is met with 
 in some districts, especially about Arcot, and that ii builds its nest 
 of well woven grass, attaching it to a stalk of rawula. It is 
 caught in gieat quantities in certain parts, and kept in cages with the 
 next and other species. It is said to fight with great courage (for 
 which purpose it is kppt by the natives), and that it will continue the 
 combat till blood is drawn on one or both sides. Length 4 J inches; 
 wing 2; tail 1£ ; taisus rather more than £ an inch ; bill to front Toths. 
 
 Slb Genus SPERMESTES, Swains.— Lohchura, Sykes. 
 
 The next four species m<>>t probably belong to Swainson's genus 
 Spermestes, though they are probably aberrant species, leading to Ery- 
 thura, by their slightly acuminated tail. 
 
 172 — 5. ?ii*oria, Temm. P. C. 500-2. — Loxia pnnctularia, Auct.? — 
 Sing baz or sheen lax., H.— Ckesnut throated Jinch. 
 
 I hive hitherto only found this pretty species on the Neilgherries, 
 frequenting long grass and bushes, and feeding on various seeds in 
 small parties of 1 or 5. I am informed, however, that it is met occa- 
 sionally in various parts of the country, as in Mysore, and some of the 
 more wooded spots, near large towns in the tableland. Ii is enume- 
 rated both in Mr. Elliot's and Colonel Syke's catalogues. The upper 
 tail coverts have a strong yellow tinge, and a glistening waxy sort of 
 lustre. Bill and legs, blare blue: irides dark brown. Length 4* j 
 wing 2 T Vthsj tail 1£; tarsus fVhs . bill at front T Vhs. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 27 
 
 173.—- S. leuconota.—F. leuconota, Temra,, P. C. 500-1. -Zoo?, striata, 
 Lath. ? — White ramped Finch. 
 
 I have only hitherto observed this sppcies in the Malabar 
 coast, and the Wynaad, frequenting grain-fields, open spaces in 
 the jungle, and occasionally seen on the road-side, and even 
 in stable yards, feeding on various kinds of grain and seeds. 
 It lives in small flocks of six, eight or more. Irides dark brown; 
 bill and legs, slate blue. Length 4 T Vths ; wing 2 T Vth ; tail l T yhs ; 
 tarsus ^iths ; bill to front T * 7 ths. 
 
 174.— S. Malacca.— Loxia Malacca, Auct. ?— Nukl-nore, H.- Black- 
 headed Finch. 
 
 The nukl-nore so nearly approaches the description of the Loxia Ma- 
 lacca of authors, that I shall here consider it as the same. I have seen 
 this bird in the Carnatic, frequenting long reeds and grass, by the side 
 of rivers, in the table land in similar situations, though more rare, and 
 most numerous in the wooded region of the west coast, frequenting grain- 
 fields in large flocks along with the last species. 
 
 I shall here add a brief description. Male,— head, neck and breast of 
 a rich black ; body above of a chestnut brown ; the upper tail coverts 
 of a brighter tinge, and with a glistening lustre, as in 5. nisoria, belly 
 white with large central spot and vent black ; bill bluish at base, 
 yellowish at tip ; legs plumbeous. Length 4| ; wing Sixths ; tail 1 
 tV ds 5 tarsus |iths; bill at front J*i.rhs. Irides dark brown. Female— 
 or young ?— above of a pale cinnamon brown, darkest on the head; 
 beneath rufous white, darkest on throat and ntck. 
 
 175.— S. cheet.—Lonchura cheet, Sykes.—Piddcree, H.— Small brown 
 Finch. 
 
 This plain coloured little finch is found all over the peninsula, 
 living in families, and frequenting hedges, low trees in cultivated 
 ground, and low bushes on the open plain, or by a river side. It fre- 
 quently enters gardens, and feeds on various kinds of seeds. Colonel 
 Sykes describes its nest as being formed of grass, in the shape of a 
 hollow ball, and that he found in one nest ten white eggs, not much 
 larger than peas. Irides deep brown ; bill bluish ; legs dirty reddish. 
 Length about 5 inches ; tail 2. 
 
28 Catalogue of the Birds [Jan. 
 
 Sub Family FBINGrlLLIN^E.— Ground Finches. 
 
 Genus PYEGITA, Swains. 
 
 J 76. — P. domest'ica. — Chooree,!!. — Common House Sparrow. 
 
 The Sparrow is found all over India, even its hottest parts. It is 
 least common on the wooded west coast, and Quilon is said to be ex- 
 empt from its society, as well as from that of the common squirrel (>Se- 
 pahnarum), two of the greatest pests of most other stations. 
 
 177- — P.flavicollls. — Fringllla flavicollis, Frankl. — Rnjjee, H — vu/go 
 Junglee chooree, i.e. Jungle Sparrow. — Yelloic necked or Jungle Sparrow. 
 
 The yellow necked sparroio is found all over the peninsula, wher- 
 ever there are abundance of trees, but it cannot be said to be a com- 
 mon bird any where, even in the well wooded region of the west coast, 
 where it is more plentiful than in any other part of the peninsula. It 
 frequents thin jungle, groves of trees, avenues, &c; lives in small flocks, 
 and has almost exactly the same chirping note as the common sparrow. 
 It feeds on various seeds, grain and flower buds. It is said to breed 
 in holes of trees. Mr. Elliot says " also breeds on old pots, and on 
 house tops." The egg is of a greenish white, much streaked and blotch- 
 ed with purple brown. 1 obtained one from the body of a female. 
 Colonel Sykes has placed it as a Ploceus, but its habits, as well as its 
 structure, and the similarity of its notes to those of the common spar- 
 row, have led me to replace it among the sparrows. Length 5}j inches ; 
 wing 3 r 3 oths; tail 2; tarsus T 7 jths ; bill to front to^s ; bill black j 
 legs cinereous; irides brown. 
 
 178. — P.? concolor. — New species.? 
 
 I have but a single specimen of the bird lam about to describe, 
 which was shot on the ground in an open plain, along with a 
 lot of the Indian Ortolan (Alauda Dukhunensis, Sykes). It does not 
 exactly agree with the characters of Pyrgita, having the bill more tur- 
 gid, and with the commissure slightly sinuated. The third quill is 
 shorter than the two first, and the inner toe is shorter than the outer 
 one, its claws moreover sre less curved. I cannot, however, range it 
 under any other of Swainson's genera, so prefer retaining it here. 
 
 Descr.— Of an uniform light ashy brown colour, lightest below (al- 
 most white indeed at chin and vent), and darkest on the quills and 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 29 
 
 tail. Length 6 inches ; wing 3 T Vths; tail 2£; tarsus rather more than 
 rVhs ; bill at front ,Vhs. Irides brown ; bill brown above, yellow- 
 ish belowj legs flesh coloured yellow. 
 
 Genus EMBERIZA, Auct.— Bunting. 
 
 179.— .0. melanocephala, kuct.—Gundum, H.— Black-headed Bun- 
 ting. 
 
 I do not recollect having seen the Gundum in the Carnatic. It 
 makes its appearance on the table land, about the end of November, or 
 beginning of December ; associates in numerous flocks, and is very 
 destructive to grain-fields. Few of the birds are found in perfect plum- 
 age. Length 7| to 8 inches ; wing 3 T Vthsj tail 3 ; tarsus Aths ; bill 
 to front t o ths. 
 
 180.— E.ortolana, Auct.— Sykes' Cat.- Ortolan of Europe. 
 I have not hitherto met with the Ortolan of Europe. 
 
 181.— E. cia?—Putthur Chirta, U.—Bush or hedge Bunting. 
 
 • 
 
 Though I have great doubts whether this bird is the E. cla of au- 
 thors, yet as it approaches nearly the description of that bird, and 
 moreover is only a winter visitant to the peninsula, I think it may turn 
 out to be identical with it. 
 
 This bunting is found only in the more northern parts of the table 
 land, during the cold weather, frequenting hedges and trees in the 
 neighbourhood of cultivation, also bushy wilds. It feeds on various 
 grains and seeds. Found sometimes single or in pairs, at times in nu- 
 merous flocks. I shall add a brief description. 
 
 Plumage above cinereous, tinged with reddish on the back and rump ; 
 beneath lighter cinereous, strongly tinged with reddish fawn colour,' 
 on throat and breast, passing into reddish white, or pale fawn colour 
 on the belly and vent ; chin whitish. Wings and tail dark brown, 
 broadly edged with reddish fawn ; outer feathers of the tail white on 
 their inner webs. Irides brown ; bill reddish ; feet yellow. Length 
 6* inches ; wing 3* ; tail 2£ ; tarsus 7£ tenth, ; bill to front hardly^ ths. 
 
 182.— E. cristata, Vigors.- Sykes' Cat.— CVwfrd black Bunting. 
 
30 Catalogue of the Birds [Jan. 
 
 183.— E. sub-cristata, Sykes' Cat— Crested brown Bunting. 
 
 I have not hitherto been fortunate enough to observe either of these 
 species of Bunting. 
 
 Sub Family ALAUDIN^E— Larks. 
 Genus ALAUDA, L.— True Larlcs. 
 
 There is great difficulty in making out the species of this genus 
 from description (unless they are very minutely described both as to 
 structure and colour), as they are all clothed in such similar plumage, 
 and i do not feel confident that I am referring the species I have ob- 
 served to their proper places, and therefore wish that my remarks may 
 only be considered as an approximation to the truth, till the specimens 
 have been examined and compared at home. 
 
 184.— .4. Gulgida, Frankl.— Sykes' Cat. ? 
 
 The only specimens I possess, of what I consider to be this bird, were 
 shot on the Neilglterries, where they are very abundant. Colonel Sykes 
 says this is the chundoola of India, but the bird which is so frequently 
 caged and kept by natives under that name, answers more to the descrip- 
 tion of his ' A. Deva'. One of my specimens differs slightly from the 
 others in having the tail feathers more acuminated, a rather longer 
 beak, and longer wing. This specimen agrees with the measurements of 
 Colonel Sykes, viz. total leng h G y-g- inches ; tail 2 -jV ns > wni g °f l ^ xs 
 3 _8_ths. Of another specimen the tail is only 2 inches, and the wing 
 3 T 6 ths. In both the hind toe alone is y^ths ; hind claw T V' 1S ; nearly 
 straight. Whether these differences are accidental or not, I shall 
 not here attempt to determine. I rides brown. Chief food grasshoppers, 
 tipulce, and other insects. 
 
 1S5. — » A chendoola, Frankl. — A. Gulgula, Sykes? — Aggun, II. 
 
 I do not possess a specimen of this bird, but have seen and cursorily 
 examined some living birds lately. The Aggun of India is very com- 
 mon in the Carnatic, and also in the Northern Circars, I believe, but is 
 rarely, if at all, met with on the great table land of Southern India. 
 Having neglected to obtain specimens whilst in the Carnatic, I cannot 
 give my minute details regarding i>. Its shade of plumage is less 
 rufous and more grey than that of the last, or of the next species : the 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 31 
 
 central marks of the feathers also are not so dark, the shade of the 
 plumage beneath is greyish or earthy rather than rufous white, and 
 the chin is pure white. Its bill too is much thicker and stronger than 
 that of the last. The Ag»un is frequently caught when young, and 
 caged for its song, which is said to be very sweet ; it also imitates the 
 notes of other birds, but not so well as the next species. As I have 
 never seen the first spe ies (No. 183), except on the Neilgherries, I 
 think that this may perhaps be the A. Gulgula of Sykes' Cat., but again 
 the fact of the Aggun not being observed by me on the table land, 
 and being considered as unknown here by the natives, renders this 
 improbable. 
 
 18G. — A. deva, Sykes. — A. Gulgala, Frankl.— Chcrundool or Chun- 
 dool, H. 
 
 This well known species appears to answer pretty exactly to the 
 description by Sykes of his ' A. Deva'. I suspect it may turn out to 
 be the A. Gulgula of Franklin, as it a[ pears to be more generally 
 spread over India than any of the others. 
 
 The Cherundool is found all over the peninsula, but is more common 
 in the table land than below the ghauts. It differs from the two former 
 species in its smaller size, and especinlly in the form of its crest ; fo r 
 whilst in the two last, the crest is composed of nearly all the feathers 
 of the head, being slightly elongated, and all capable of erection ; in 
 this bird the crest is merely confined to a few of the feathers of the 
 forehead, the centre feathers of which especially, are much elongated, 
 and partially acuminated, and when raised form a very elegant pointed 
 frontal crest, which is raised at will nearly upright, the feathers of the 
 top of the head and occiput remaining perfectly smooth. The shades 
 of its plumage are almost exactly similar to those of the first species, 
 its bill, however, is much stronger in proportion. The Cherundool is 
 very frequently caged in all parts of the country, and the bird is kept 
 in darkness by several layers of cloth being wrapped round the cage, 
 the custom being to wrap an additional covering round the cage every 
 year. In this state it sings very sweetly, and learns to imitate most 
 exactly the notes of various other birds, and animals even, such as the 
 yelping of a dog, the mewing of a cat, &c. &c. It feeds on various 
 insects, chiefly grasshoppers, and in default of this food on various grains 
 and seeds. Iiides brown. Length 6 inches ; of wing 2 - 4 -ths ; tail 
 2 T ? ^-ths ; tarsus about 1 inch ; hind toe alone _iJis ; claw * to _ J _ths. 
 
32 Catalogue of the Birds [Jan. 
 
 187.— ,4. Dukhunensis, Svbes.—Emberiza Baghaira, Frankl. Cat. ? 
 Baag-geyra Lark. — Latli ? Baghaira or Baghdda of some Shikarees, 
 H. — Ortolan of Europeans.— (Social Lark. 
 
 This bird as described by Sykes, is most probably the Emb.'Baghaira 
 of Franklin's catalogue, but as the only description of the Baag-geyra 
 Lark I have access to, is very brief, I cannot be certain. This bird 
 appears on the table land of India in October. It associates in vast 
 flocks, frequenting the bare grass downs, and is fond of damp spots, as 
 at the edge of tanks, &c. It also frequents grain-fields, and almost 
 always retires to them for shelter during the heat of the day, from 
 whence it does not in general issue again till next morning. They are 
 so numerous occasionally, that 4, 5 or 6 dozens are sometimes killed at 
 a shot, and numbers are often netted in some parts of the country, as I 
 learn from Mr. Elliot's notes. When in good condition it is highly 
 esteemed for the table. The social lark does not breed in this part of 
 India, and quits it for the north in March. Irides deep brown. Length 
 61 inches ; of wing 4 ; tail 2 T y;hs ; tarsus T \ths; hind toe alone hardly 
 3 T \ths ; claw about the same. 
 
 Genus MYRAFRA, Horsf.— Thick billed Lark. 
 
 188.— M. phamicura, Frank].— fieytul, H. of some ; Jgeea, H. of 
 others. — Red bellied lark. 
 
 The red bellied lark, is found over all the peninsula, but is much 
 more common in the Deccan, than below the ghauts. It frequents the 
 open plains, preferring the barest spots, ploughed land, stubble fields 
 and beds of nullahs. It sometimes, though rarely, perches on bushes. 
 Its habits ai-e much those of the Larks. It feeds chiefly on seeds of 
 various kinds, also on insects occasionally. Its abrupt jerking flight 
 has been already noticed by Colonel Sykes. It frequently ascends 
 suddenly in the air by a few interrupted strokes of its wings, and 
 uttering at the time a pleasant loud whistle-like note, sounding some- 
 thing like Toowhee ; it then descends with a sudden fall, changing its 
 note to a low lark-like warbling ; when close to the ground it again 
 repeats this, and so on for several times. Irides brown ; bill homy 
 above, flesh coloured below; legs flesh coloured. Length 6 inches; 
 wing 4 T yhs ; tail 2 T yhs ; tarsus r %-ths ; hind toe alone T \ ths ; 
 claw the same, nearly straight ; bill to front T yhs ; gape T yhs. 
 
1840.] of (he Peninsula of India. 33 
 
 189.— M. Javanica? — Ageea, H, of some, Junglee Ageea of others. — 
 Red winged Lark. 
 
 As I have no description of M. Javanica, I merely refer my bird 
 to that species at a venture, but think, as it is mentioned in Franklin's 
 catalogue, it is probably the same. I have only observed this species 
 among stony and bushy hills, and low jungly plains in the northern 
 part of the Deccan. It is never found on the bare plains like the last. 
 It is found single or in pairs, is a wary bird when roused, flying a short 
 distance, and seating itself behind a bush on the ground, or perching on 
 the back part of the bush, which it does much more frequently than 
 the last. Feeds on various seeds. I add a brief description. Above 
 of a reddish brown or fawn colour, of various intensity ; the feathers cen- 
 tred darker, and edged wiih lighter. Feather of head elongated, bright 
 rufous fawn ; centred with brown ; quill feathers cinnamon rufous, tip- 
 ped with dusky, tail brown, centre and external feathers edged with 
 rufous. Beneath white, breast spotted with brown. IriJes dark brown. 
 Length 54 inches; of wing 3-r-Vths; tail 2 ; tarsus Jiths ; hind 
 claw alone f^ths, longer than its toe j bill at front T 4 „-tl)s ; to gape y^ttis. 
 
 Genus AGRODOMA, Swains.— Anthus, Auct.—Tit Lark. 
 
 190. — A. agilis.— Anthus agilis, Sykes. — Roogail, H. — Common Tit 
 lark of India. 
 
 Although by no means certain that this is the ' A. agilis' 1 of Sykes, yet 
 as it is the most common species in India, I have ventured to consider 
 it as such, adding a brief description for the sake of comparison. The 
 Roogail is tolerably common over all India, frequenting the open grass 
 downs, stony plains, and also not unfrequently the beds of rivers, tanks 
 and other moist places. It runs swiftly along the ground, and when 
 raised takes but a short flight. It feeds chiefly on various insects. It 
 probably represents the A. pratensis of Europe, to which it appears 
 to have a very close resemblance, but Colonel Sykes has pronounced 
 them distinct. 
 
 Descr. — Above light olive brown, the feathers centred with a darker 
 shade; beneath of a reddish or earthy white ; the breast striated with 
 brown lines ; and a narrow line of same colour down each side of the 
 throat. 
 
 My specimens vary in size from 65 to 6| inches; wing 3r"Vthsj tail 
 
34 Catalogue of the Birds [Jaw. 
 
 2£ ; tarsus 1 y o th ; hind toe alone i^the ; do. claw (slightly curved), 
 nearly roths ; bill to front xiths ; at gape - 7 <r'hs. Irides brown ; legs 
 flesh coloured. I have one specimen not differing in colour, the wing of 
 which is only 3 tVhs; hind claw perfectly straight, and the hind toe 
 only about T Vhs f an inch. Is this a mere variety ? 
 
 191. — A. rufescens. — Anth.ru/escens, Auct.?— Hill Titlark. 
 
 This bird which approaches very closely the descriptions of the A. 
 rufescens of Europe, I have hitherto found only on the grassy hills of 
 the Neilgherries, where it is tolerably common. It runs brisklx along 
 the ground, and flies only a short distance. On one or two occasions, 
 I observed it perch on a tree. I found its food to consist of various 
 insects. 
 
 Descr. — Above of an olive yellow; the feathers centred with dark 
 brown; beneath and superciliary mark of a light rufous tinge, darkest 
 on the breast, which as well as the sides and belly are streaked with 
 brown. Length 6 T Vh inches; wing3 T Vhs; tail 2\ ; tarsus nearly 
 1; hind toe alone nearly roths; do. claw T Vhs, fully curved; bill 
 shorter and stronger than in the other species. Length to front T V ns » 
 at gape -n^hs. 
 
 192— .4. rufula.—Anth. rufuluz, Vieill. Ency. Meth. p. 326.?— Chilloo, 
 H. — Pale or rufous Titlark. 
 
 As the description of the Anthus rufulus of French authors, appears 
 somewhat to coincide with my specimens, I have for the present consi- 
 dered them as the same. The Chilloo of Shikarees is tolerably com« 
 mon on the bare stony plains of the table land ; I am not aware if it is 
 also an inhabitant of the Carnutic. It has similar habits to others of 
 the genus. 
 
 Descr. — Above of a pale rufous grey tint; the feathers centred with 
 dusky, most distinctly on the head, hardly at all on the back and rump, 
 beneath and superciliary stripe, pale fawn colour, whitening towards 
 the vent and on the chin ; breast very faintly marked with pale brown 
 streaks ; a brown stripe runs from the gape below the ear, and auoiher 
 from the lower edge of the under mandible, down the throat on either 
 side. The wing coverts are brown, very broadly edged with taun 
 colour. The two centre feathers of the tail are also brown, edged with 
 fawn, the external nearly nil of that colour, the next to it tipped and 
 edged only, and the remainder all deep brown, irides biown ; bill 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 35 
 
 horny above, pale fleshy below ; legs flesh coloured. Length nearly 
 7 inches; wing3-n>ths; tail about 3 ; tarsus 1; hind toe alone rVhs; 
 hind claw rather more than T Vhs ; more curved than in A. ugilis ; 
 bill to front T V l bs ; at gape ^iths. 
 
 193. — A. similis. — New species? — Large Titlark, 
 
 Descr. — The description of the last species will apply exactly to this 
 very similar bird, with this exception, that the centre markings of 
 the feathers are still more indistinct in this one ; and that the fawn 
 colour of the plumage beneath, extends over all the abdomen, vent, 
 and under tail coverts. It differs, however, remarkably in size and in 
 some points of structure. Length 8j inches; wing 3 T 9 ^-ths ; tail 
 •Whs ; tarsus l T ' ? th; hind toe alone T Vhs ; hind claw T %tbs ; more 
 curved than in A. rufulu. Bill at front T Vhs j at gape -^th. Besides 
 the structural differences shewn in these measurements, this differs from 
 the last in the bill being slightly curved, both at the culraen and com- 
 missure. Irides brown ; legs flesh coloured. I only once observed this 
 large Titlark in an open stony plain, there were a pair of them together, 
 and I noticed that their flight was performed somewhat differently to 
 that of the Titlarks in general, there being a more frequent flapping of 
 the wings. I found fragments of insects in the specimen 1 then procur- 
 ed. 
 
 Genus MEGALURUS, Horsf. 
 193.— bis. — M. ruficeps, Sykes. 
 I have not hitherto observed this species. 
 
 Sub Family PYRRHULINiE, Swains. ^J,^Ju^s^~ 
 Gen. PYRRHULAUDA— FincA/ar*. 
 
 194. — P. cruciger. — Fringilla cruciger, Temra. P. C. 260-1. — Alauda 
 Gingica, and Duree Finch, Lath.— Emberiza Gingica, Gmel. — Decora, 
 H. vulgo. — Dubhuk Choree i. e. Squat Sparrow. — Black bellied Finch' 
 lark, or Squat Finch-Ortolan of some Europeans, 
 
36 Catalogue of the Birds [Jan. 
 
 This curious little bird is extremely common in all parts of India, 
 frequenting the open plains and cultivated grounds, and common on 
 roads or any other bare spots of ground. Its habits are quite those of 
 a lark. It is still more remarkable than the Mirafra pfupnicura, for 
 the sudden ascents and descents of its flight, mounting up some height 
 by a few flappings of its wings, and then descending almost perpendicu- 
 larly till close to the ground, when it again rises as before, and repeats 
 this several times. In general, it takes but a short flight, and on a- 
 lighting, squats so close that, as Colonel Sykes remarks " it almost al- 
 lows itself to be ridden over ere it rises." It occasionally may be seen 
 seated on a house top, but I never saw it perch except on one occasion, 
 when I observed some 12 or 15 of them perched on a low tree dose to 
 a house in cantonment. This was during the height of the h"t wea- 
 ther. I was fortunate enough to obtain the n^st and eggs of this bird 
 very lately (in February). The nest is composed of woven thread, 
 mingled with some fibres of grass, and one or two small fragments of 
 cloth. The sides are hardly raised at all, it was placed in a slight hol- 
 low on the open plain near a river, and contained two eggs of a slight 
 greenish grey tint, spotted with brown, chiefly at the larger end. 
 Length 4§ inches; wing 3; tail l/'^ths ; tarsus T £ths ; hind toe and 
 claw T Vhs ; bill to front r \(hs ; at gape T Vhs. I rides reddish brown ; 
 bill flesh coloured, with a tinge of horny ; legs flesh coloured. 
 
 Genus H/EMOR170US, Swains. 
 
 195. — //. ? roseus — Coccothraustes rosea, Vieill. Encly. Meth. p. 1010. 
 Ois. Chant, pi. 65. — Fringilla rodopepla, Vigors? Gould's Cent. Him. 
 Birds. — Loxia Madagasvariensia, and Lox. Totta of English authors. 
 Toolee, H.—Iiose Finch. 
 
 I am not quite certain if the Rose Finch of India belongs to Swain- 
 son's genus Hcemorhons or not, but as far as I can make out, it appears 
 to do so. It appears to be the species named as above by Vieillot, and 
 if so, the name of F. rodopepla must sink to a synonym. The Tootee 
 of India arrives in this country from the north, about November, and 
 remains till March. I first saw it in thick jungle at the bottom of the 
 Conoor pass, busily engaged in eating the seeds of the lofty bamboos 
 there. I have seen it also several times in large groves of trees in the nor- 
 thern part of the table land. It associates in flocks of various numbers, 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 37 
 
 and devours various grains, especially Jowarce (Jndropogon Sorghum), 
 and also rice, and in default of these, various other grains, seeds and 
 even flower buds, and young leaves of trees. It is occasionally caugbt 
 and domesticated on account of its song, which is said to be very sweet. 
 Vieillot says " it is often brought from India alive, and bears the 
 climate well." It is said not to be bred in any part of India. hides 
 brown; bill and legs pale brown. Length 6§ inches; wing3 T £ths; 
 tail 2\ ; tarsus not quite T V ns « 
 
 Family BUCERIDJE.— Horn bills. 
 
 Genus BUCEROS. — Horn bill Toucan of residents in India. 
 
 196. — B. Cavatus, Shaw. — Gould's Cent. Him. Birds. — Garuda of the 
 natives of the forests.— Malah-moraykey, Mai. — Largest Horn bill. 
 
 I have not myself been fortunate enough to procure a specimen of 
 this large Hornbill, but have seen it on several occasions in the thick 
 jungles of Malabar, and in the Coonoor pass of the Neilgherries. I 
 take the following account of it from Mr. Elliot's notes, who met it in 
 the Soonda jungles. 
 
 Descr. — " Back, wings, belly, chin and bar on the tail black ; neck, 
 tail, thigh, wing spot, tips of scapulars and remiges white ; bill ver- 
 milion above, passing into yellow, the lower mandible whitish, at the 
 base black. The male bird has the space between the prominence and 
 the true beak in front also blackish, from which a black stripe runs 
 down the crest of the beak, towards the point, and the posterior ter- 
 mination of the prominence is also dusky in the male, red in the fe- 
 male." Length — male upwards of 4 feet ; female 4 feet ; weight of 
 the latter 6£ lbs ; bill from point to gape in a straight line 10 inches ; 
 from point to end of protuberance 13^ inches ; protuberance 7h inches 
 long; ?>j broad. 
 
 " At the root of the tail of this bird on upper side, immediately above 
 the vent, is a small sac, in which is a bundle or pencil of short bristles, 
 forming a brush, from which exudes a yellow oily secretion, with which 
 the bird appears to dress the white wing spot ; when first shot the 
 yellow colour comes off the bill in considerable quantities, and the 
 
38 
 
 Catalogue of the Birds of the Peninsula of India. [Jan. 
 
 only parts of the body besides, that are stained with this colour, are, 
 the wing spot, rump, and the small crest on the back of the head ; this 
 latter but slightly. This yellow substance continued to exude from the 
 brush, long after the specimen was prepared and dry. The Garuda 
 is sacred to Vishnoo, among the inhabitants of the forests, as the 
 Brahminy Kite is in the open country." 
 
 This Hombill is very shy and difficult to approach. The noise of 
 its wings when flying is very loud, and can be heard a long way off. 
 The Malyalum name signifies, 1 am informed, " That makes the jungles 
 resound." 
 
 \97.—BJfafabaricus,Gme\.,La\h.— B. Atbirostrh, Shaw, Wagler. 
 — Dhanesa, Sanscrit.— Dhonchooree, H. — Ibba HaLee, Can. 
 
 This hombill is to be met with wherever there is lofty forest jungle, 
 and of course is most plentiful on the Malabar coast, but even here it 
 is far from being a common bird. It lives in parties of four, five, six 
 or more, and lives on fruit and berries of different kinds. Length i f 
 one specimen from forehead to tip of tail 31 inches; of wing 13^; 
 tail 11 ; tarsus 2 T %'hs ; of bill straight to gape 6£ inches; of protu- 
 berance alone 6$ ; from tip of bill straight to posterior angle of the 
 protuberance 8£ inches. 
 
 198.— B. Gmgianus, Lath.— B. Oxyurus, \Vag\.— Chakrotra, H.— 
 Common Grey Hombill. 
 
 This bird is spread all over the peninsula, frequenting not only jun- 
 gles, but also not unfrequeotly large groves of trees and avenues (in 
 the more wooded parts of the open country). Like the last, it is gene- 
 rally seen in small parties or sometimes single. I have generally found 
 fruit in the stomach of this bird, but on one occasion I found some 
 large insects, chiefly mantides. Lengih from forehead to tip of tail 22 
 inches; of wing 8; tail 10; tarsus 2 ; bill straight to gape 4 inches. 
 
 199— B. Gingalensis, Shaw.— B. Pijrrhopygus,^) '.\g\.—Kooldal H alcee > 
 Can. — Jungle Grey Hombill. 
 
 I have hitherto only seen this species but once or twice, frequenting 
 lofty jungles in the Malabar coast. I found its food to consist of various 
 kinds of fruits and berries. Bill whitish yellow ; total length 22 inches ; 
 wing 8|i tail 8£; tarsus l-,yhs ; bill straight to gape 4£; breadth at 
 base 1 T % ths. 
 
 (To be continued.) 
 
MADRAS JOURNAL 
 
 OF 
 
 LITERATURE AND SCIENCE. 
 
 No. 27— April 1840. 
 
 I. — Catalogue of the Birds of the Peninsula of India, arranged ac- 
 cording to the modern system of Classification ; with brief Notes on 
 their Habits and Geographical Distribution, and descriptiaQjjff new, 
 doubtful and imperfectly described Species : — By T. C. Jerdon, Assis- 
 tant Surgeon, 2d Madras Light Cavalry. 
 
 (Continued from No. 26 page^SQ.) 
 
 Tribe SCANSORES. 
 
 Family PSITTACIDiE.— Parrots. 
 
 Sub Family MACRO CERCINuE.— Zo«g- tailed Parrots. 
 
 Genus PAL^ORNIS.— Ringed Parrakvel. 
 
 200. — P. torqualus, Vigors. — P. cubicularis, Wagler. — Ps. torquatus, 
 Gruel. — P docilis, Vieill. — Perhaps also P. bicollaris of the same — 
 Lybur Totah, or Totah, II. — Common red-ringed Parrakeet. 
 
 This parrot is one of the most common and abundant birds in India, 
 frequenting the cultivated ground and gardens in all parts of the 
 country, even the most bare and open. It is very destructive to various 
 
208 Catalogue of the Birds [April 
 
 kinds of grain and fruit. It associates in flocks of various size, some- 
 times very numerous, roosting in the holes of old trees, and flying forth 
 to their various feeding haunts, early in the morning. When the 
 grains are cut and fruit is scarce, it often takes long flights in search 
 of any fruit-bearing trees, skimming close to the large trees, and when 
 successful in its search, in general not alighting suddenly, but taking 
 a short circle, and changing its usual mode of flight, viz. a swift and 
 continued flapping of their wings, to a steady sailing with wings spread 
 and turned obliquely downwards, and thus alighting on the tree speedi- 
 ly commences its meal. Its flight is very swift, and it generally keeps 
 up a harsh scream when in motion. It is, however, at all times a 
 noisy bird. It breeds in holes of trees during the hot weather, laying, 
 as I am credibly informed, 3 or 4 white eggs. 
 
 Irides light yellow ; bill lively red above, dusky beneath. Length 16 
 to 18 inches ; wing 7 ; tail 10 to 11. 
 
 201.— P. Alexandri, Vig.—Psht. Alexandri, Anct.—Baee-Totah, H. 
 —Largt' red-ringed Parrakeet. 
 
 This species is much more rare than the last, and I have only seen 
 it on two or three occasions. The first time I became aware of its 
 being found in the peninsula was seeing one carried off in an open 
 space in the jungles of Malabar by a ^Shahee. (Falco Aldrovandi), 
 which dropped it on my firing at it, and I picked it up, severely 
 wounded but still alive. I have again seen it once or twice in the 
 neighbourhood of well wooded villages, in the northern part of the 
 table land, and obtained 4 young ones from the nest, in a hole of a 
 lofty tree, last December. As I am informed by shikarees that it is 
 not very uncommon in some of the more wooded districts, I dare say 
 I have occasionally overlooked it, mistaking it for the last ; still it is 
 comparatively so rare, that I think the previous species was most 
 probably the one taken first to Europe from this countrv, and which 
 therefore should have been named P. Alexandri. It breeds during the 
 cold season. 
 
 Length about 20 inches; wing SJ ; tail 12; bill deep cherrv red 
 above, lighter and more orange red beneath ; feet cinerous. 
 
 202.-P. Bengalensis, Vigors.— P sit t. Bengalensis, Gmel-P. ery 
 throcephalus, Gmel.-P. flavicdlaris, Frankl.- Yellow collared Para- 
 Iceet, Lath. Young bnd.-Tooeeah Total,, H.-Iied-headed ringed 
 Parakeet. * 
 
U^^J^r.lotBfSe^, 
 
 Kl.Xl.Pt W 
 
 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 209 
 
 This lovely species is never found in the open country, being a 
 denizen of open jungles, and also found in the clearer spaces of the 
 denser jungles. I have seen it in Goomsoor ; also brought from the 
 jungles of the Tondiman's country in the Carnatic ; on the west coast* 
 not uncommon ; and even occasionally in low jungly districts in the 
 Deccan. It has the same habits as others of the genus. The P. 
 flavicollar'is of Franklin, or plum-headed Parakeet is always found in 
 the same localities as the red-headed Parakeet, and is considered as 
 the young bird by shikarees and others ; so, though I have not seen the 
 actual change, yet as the size and structure agree, I have no doubt that 
 it is the same bird. 
 
 The three last species are frequently taken when young and caged, 
 learning to repeat words and sentences with facility, and becoming 
 very tame. 
 
 Irides light yellow; bill reddish yellow above, beneath blackish. 
 Length 14 ; wing u\ ; tail 8 to 8£. 
 
 203. — P. Columboides, Vigors. — P. MelanorJn/nchus, Sykes — young 
 bird. — Muddun Gowr Tot ah, H. — Blue-winged Parrakeet. 
 
 This very elegant and chastely coloured Parrakeet is found only in 
 the dense and lofty forests of Malabar, as well below the ghauts as on 
 them, attaining, as I have observed on the sides of the Neilgherries, 
 a height of nearly 5000 feet. Its usual call is less harsh than that of 
 the other species. I have not yet seen it domesticated. I have shot 
 the P. melanoryhnchus, always in company with the others, and consider 
 it as the young bird. Whether the adult female retains the black bill 
 or not, I do not know, as the specimens with red bills shot by me were 
 all male birds. 
 
 Like the other species it feeds on fruit and berries of various kinds. 
 
 Irides light yellow; feet cinerous ; bill lively red above, dusky be- 
 neath. Length 15— 16 inches; wing rather more than 5i; tail 8£ 
 to 9. 
 
 Sub Family LORIAN^E.— Swains. 
 
 Genus PSITTACULUS.— Khul, Selby.— Lorikeet- Dwarf Parrot. 
 
 204. — Ps. vernalis, Swains. — Bhora or Bhodra,' H. — Red-rumped 
 Dwarf Parrot, or Lorikeet. 
 I am convinced that Swainson was right i-n separating this species 
 
210 Catalogue of the Birds [Aprii 
 
 from the allied one, P. galgulus, for I have shot many of both sexes, 
 and seen numerous specimens, none of which showed any approach to 
 the plumage of the other. I have found this species only in the more 
 open spares of the lofty jungles of the west coast. It is most nume- 
 rous, 1 think, in Travancore, and the more southern portions; also at 
 the foot of the Neilgherries. I did not observe it at any considerable ' 
 elevation, but I see it is enumerated in Mr. Elliot's Catalogue, as found 
 in the Southern Mahratta Country, but only during the rains. It is 
 found in small flocks, and while feeding keeps up a continual feeble 
 chirping. I am informed by a gentleman who was for some time in 
 Malacca, that either this, or an allied species (perhaps the P. galgulus), 
 was often domesticated there, and that it had the same custom of sleep- 
 ing with its head downwards, which the Colies (Gen. Colius) are re- 
 presented to have. I found in the stomach of several birds a soft pulpy 
 vegetable mass with a few seeds. * 
 
 I rides whitish yellow; bill and legs orange. Length about 6 inches ; 
 wing rather more than 8£ ; tail 1|. 
 
 Family PICIDjE, Swains.— Jf T oodpeckers. 
 
 Sub Family PICIAl^iE, Swains. — True Woodpeckers— Luh 
 Tcurphor, H. 
 
 Genus PICUS.— Typical Woodpeckers. 
 Sub Genus PICUS, Swains. 
 
 205— P. Strictus, Horsf. Lin., Trans, vol. xiii. — -P. Peraluimua, 
 "Wagler. — P. Goen$is, Auct. (bad description).— Scarlet-lacked Wood- 
 pecker . 
 
 This handsome Woodpecker is found only in the dense and lofty 
 forests of the west coast, occasionally seen below the ghauts, but most 
 numerous on the more elevated wooded regions, and frequently seen on 
 the summit of the Neilgherries, in the thick woods there. Its habits 
 do not difl'er from those of others of the genus. The Scarlet-backed 
 
1810. J of the Peninsula of India. 211 
 
 Woodpecker appears to belong to the most typical group of wood- 
 peckers, and is the only one of that group I have yet seen from the 
 peninsula. It is apparently a slightly aberrant species, leading to 
 Hemicircus by its short neck, and shurt and broad tail. The female is 
 said by Horsfield (fid. Wagler) to differ from the 'male in having the 
 feathers of the head and crest orange, instead of scarlet. The only 
 female I procured, has the whole of the head and crest of a sooty 
 black, each feather ended with a white drop at its termination. This, 
 however, may have been a young bird. Irides yellow; bill blackish 
 lead colour; feet plumbeous. 
 
 Length about 12 inches ; wing 6 ; tail 3 inches ; bill to front l-j-^th, 
 straight to gape 1 ^%-th; breadth at base above T ^ths; anterior toe (with- 
 out claw) -jSg-ths ; versatile do. 1 inch. 
 
 The tale of this woodpecker differs from that of most others of the 
 family, in having the 4 centre feathers equally elongated, and all ex- 
 ' posed when the tail is closed, instead of the 2 centre ones only, as is 
 the case in most other species**The ends of all four are very much 
 worn, so that the barbs on eitheiSfcide extend a fifth of an inch beyond 
 the shaft. Its head is very broad also, and the whole body indeed is 
 remarkably thick and robust. 
 
 Sub Genus HEMICIRCUS Swains. 
 
 206.—//? cordalus. — New species ? — Heart-spoiled Woodpecker. 
 
 Descr.'— Male, forehead and head, interscapular region, back, and 
 rump, shoulders," p *wing coverts, chin, throat, and stripe from low r er 
 mandible running below the ears, of a light whitish yellow ; the fea- 
 thers of the wing coverts with a black heart -shaped spot at their ter- 
 mination. Face, cheeks, long occipital crest, nape, scapulars, quills, 
 upper and lower tail coverts, vent and tail, deep black. Beneath from 
 throat to the vent, dull green. On the centre of the back is a brush 
 of dark sap green feathers, rough and somewhat bristly, and some of 
 them smeared with a viscid secretion. Bill bluish black, legs 
 greenish black. Irides brownish red. Length nearly 6 inches ; wing 
 3| ; tail ly-Vths ; tarsus -j^ths ; anterior external toe fVths ; versatile 
 toe nearly T yhs ; bill to front ,Vhs, at gape -%tt\s. The female differs 
 from the male only in the forehead and head being black, the feathers 
 tipped with very minute whitish spots. This very singular little 
 woodpecker, which is undescribed in Wagler's Monograph of the 
 genus, appears to belong to Swainson's sub-genus Hemicircus, by its 
 
212 Catalogue of the Birds [Apku 
 
 short and broad tail ; short neck ; large feet, and excessively long 
 wings. Its crest is tolerably long and somewhat pointed, and when 
 raised, from the smallness of the neck, gives a triangular appearance 
 to the head. The body is thick and dumpy. Of what use the pecu- 
 liar brush-like feathers of the back are, it would be difficult to conjecture. 
 I have found this woodpecker in the forests of Malabar, and also seen 
 it in the Wynaad. It is also enumerated in Mr. Elliot's Catalogue. 
 
 It is, however, a rare bird ; I have temporarily named it " Cordatus" 
 from the heart-shaped spots on the wing coverts. 
 
 Sub Genus DENDROCOPUS, Swains. 
 
 207. — O. Mahrattensis. — P. Mahrattensis, Auct. — P. hasmasoma, 
 Wagler. — Red-bellied Woodpecker. 
 
 This is the most universally spread of all the peninsular species of 
 woodpecker. I have seen it, though rarely, in the Carnatic ; frequent 
 on the wooded west coast, though not in the denser jungles ; and even 
 occasionally met with it in groves of trees in the bare Deccan. I 
 have seen it, also, on the summit of the Neilgheiries. I found it 
 most abundant in the Wulliar jungle, in the gap of Coimbatoor. 
 
 Irides fine lake colour; bill and legs slaty. Length 7 to 7| inches ; 
 wing 3_8_ths ; tail 1\ ; exterior front toe above -,V ns ; versatile do. 
 Wths; bill to front T 9 - to JUhs ; at gape 1 _'_ to l T yhs. 
 
 208. — D. Elliot ti. — New species.? — Golden-headed Woodpecker. 
 
 I extract from Mr. Elliot's notes the description of this woodpecker, 
 never having met with it myself. I put it as a Dendrocopus with 
 doubt. If new, it may be named in honour of Mr. Eilior, its discoverer. 
 
 Descr. — " above black ; crest and wing coverts, bright golden ; 
 cheeks, black spot from the eye to the occiput, and another commen- 
 cing from the nape, and spreading between the shoulders, white. 
 Chin and lower cheeks white, with five black lines running down the 
 throat, breast and belly also white, covered with longitudinal black 
 spots; quills blackish brown with three transverse rows of round white 
 spots; bill and feet black. Irides crimson. Lives in pairs in cocoa-nut 
 trees, often three or four pairs on the same tree. Only seen in one 
 locality." 
 
 209. — D. Moluccensis. — Picus Moluccensis, Lath.—/', variegatus- 
 Lath, and Wagler. — P. bicolor, Gmel.— P. Pygmasus, Vigors. Proc. 
 Zool. Soc. 1830.— Small-spotted Woodpecker. 
 
1540,] of the Peninsula of India. 213 
 
 This little woodpecker is found in the more open spaces of all the 
 larger jungles, whether on the east coast as in Goomsoor, or in the 
 Malabar coast, where it is far from being uncommon, and is even oc- 
 casionally found in avenues and gardens. In Goomsoor I found it fre- 
 quenting the bamboos, and its tapping on the hard branches of these 
 trees caused a loud sound, heard to a great distance. It does not con- 
 fine itself to the larger branches, hopping and climbing actively about 
 the smaller twigs, and feeding on various small insects and larvee. 
 
 Irides yellow, naked orbitar skin, pink colour. Length 5 inches ; wine 
 3 ; tail 1 J ; bill to front , 5 ^ths ; at gape nearly _7_ths. 
 
 I possess a specimen shot in the Wynaad, which differs from all other 
 specimens of this bird, which I have seen (as well as from the colour of 
 the bird well represented in Hardwicke's Illustrations) in the much dark- 
 er colour of the head and back, which are almost black instead of alight 
 sooty brown. It has also less white beneath, its bill appears to be 
 somewhat larger, and its feet perhaps rather less, but it is so similar 
 in other respects that I do not venture to separate it. 
 
 Genus MALACOLOPHUS, Swains. 
 Sub Genus BRACHYLOPHUS, Swains. 
 
 210.— B. Squamalus.—P. Squamatus, Vigors.— Gould's Cent. Him, 
 Birds ?— P. dimidiatus, of Gray and Hardwicke's 111. I. Z ? not of 
 Temminck and W agler.— Scaly-bellied Woodpecker. 
 
 Although there are some slight discrepancies between my specimens 
 and the description and figuie in Gould's Century of the P. Squamatus, 
 I have little doubt but that they are identical. I have found the scaly- 
 lellied Woodpecker only on the western coast in well wooded districts, 
 from the close neighbourhood and level of the sea, to the summit of the 
 Neilgherries, where it is tolerably abundant, both in the thick woods, 
 and among the brushwood. It in general does not ascend high on trees, 
 keeping to the lower branches, and I have on several occasions seen it 
 alight on the ground. In the most perfect specimens I possess, the 
 throat and breast are nearly entirely green, the indications of the 
 scaly markings being faint and undecided, the belly and vent are green- 
 ish white, with the scalings of the feathers much more numerous and 
 smaller than are represented in the plate of Gould's Century, and the 
 spots on the tail are almost obsolete and of a greenish dusky tinge. 
 There is also a black nuchal mark. Irides pink, surrounded by a white 
 
214 Catalogue of the Birds [Amiii 
 
 circle; bill homy above, yellowish at the base and beneath; feet green- 
 ish slaty. Length nearly 12 inches ; of wing 5 T yhs; tail 3| ; bill to 
 front l T Vhs ; at gape l T % ths. 
 In the female the head is bluck where it 18 red in the male. 
 
 211. — B. mentalis. — Picus mentalis, Temm. P. C. 384? (Griff. 
 Cuv. p. 444).— P. chlorolophus, VieilL.Encyl. Meth., young bird ?— i?erf 
 and Yellow-crested Woodpecker. 
 
 The brief description in Griffith's Cuvier of the P. mentalis of 
 Temminck, appears applicable to specimens I have' obtained from the 
 western coast, with the exception that the throat is not black. 
 
 It is a rare bird. I have only seen it on two or three occasions, so- 
 litary in thick forest jungle in Travancore and Malabar. It is also 
 mentioned in Mr. Elliot's Catalogue. However I shall here add a 
 brief description. Head and cheek stripe red, a short occipital crest 
 of same colour terminated by bright yellow : plumage above bright 
 green ; beneath dull sap green; 'the feathers banded and spotted with 
 white. Wings greenish, with a strong orange tinge ; and the external 
 barb of most of the quill feathers of a deep orange red, internally 
 dusky, with white spots ; tail unspotted black; bill slaty, greenish be- 
 neath; legs sap green. Irides reddish brown. Length 9— l Jj inches; 
 wirig 4 T yhs; tail 3 T yhs ; bill to front -\ tooths; at gape l T ' T th. 
 
 One specimen, probably the female, differs in having the forehead and 
 head green, instead of red, and wants the red cheek stripe. The 
 P. chlorolophus of Vieillot is probably the young bird, or it may be the 
 female. The colouring of this species somewhat resembles that of the 
 P. Nepaletisis of Gray, figured in Hardwicke's 111. of Ind. Zool. 
 
 212.— B. Bengalensis.—P. Benyalensis, Auct.— P. aurantius, Auct. 
 (bad description).— P. nuchalis, Wagler.— Brach. hemipodius, Swains.— 
 P. chrysonotus, Lesson ?— Orange and black Woodpecker. 
 
 This is perhaps the best known of all the peninsular species, and is 
 found wherever there is plenty of wood or high jungle, and even in 
 groves and gardens in the vicinity of well wooded towns, as I have seen 
 in the Northern Circars and Carnatic. On the bare table land, I have 
 not yet observed it, but it is tolerably plentiful on the west coast, and 
 in the' wooded regions on the summit of the ghauts. It is generally 
 seen single or in pairs. From its extensive distribution over India, it 
 would be advisable to change its local name, either to the structural 
 name of Swainson, or the one lately proposed by Wagler. 
 
 Irides crimson ; bill blackish; legs plumbeous. Length nearly 12 
 inches; wing 54; tail 3 ; bill to front 1-jyhs ; at gape 1 ,Vhs. 
 
jftadras Jew let- USuoicv 
 
 Vol.XlTV.1i. 
 
 J)l'dY*n/oil- ,/rasis/fj- 'Fufgj 
 
 iknJUxljTy 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 215 
 
 Sub Genus HEMILOPHUS, Sw. 
 
 213. — H. Hodgsonii. — New species?. — Large white -hacked Wood' 
 pecker. 
 
 Descr. — Head, short thick crest, and stripe running from the hase of 
 the lower mandible, crimson ; lower part of hack, rump and middle 
 belly white ; rest of the plumage deep black ; bill black j legs dark 
 plumbeous. 
 
 Length 19£ inches; wing 9; tail 7\ ; tarsus 1£ ; bill to front 
 2 T Vhs; atg^pe 2 T 8 oths; width at base \ inch ; the tail is much wedg- 
 ed ; wing with 6th quill longest ; 7th equal to the 4th. 
 
 This splendid Woodpecker, apparently undescribed, appears to ap- 
 proach in colour the P. Javensis of Hor>field, the P. leucogaster of 
 Temra. and P. pulverulent us of the same, but differs according to theic 
 description by the accurate Wagler, as well in size, as in some 
 markings, especially the white of the back, which the above named 
 species want. It is second in size only to the lately discovered 
 Chilian species (P. imperialis of Gould), being about equal to the 
 P. principalis of America; and though inferior in typical attributes 
 to the P. Sultaneus of Hodgson, is yet its superior in size. I have 
 seen it but rarely in the most dense and lofty forest jungle, and being 
 exceedingly warv, I did not procure a fresh specimen, but through the 
 kindness of Mr. Vaughan, Circuit Judge at Tellicheny, I obtained a 
 fine stuffed specimen. I have named it in honour of Mr. Hodgson, 
 Resident at the Court of Nepal, whose name is too well known to re- 
 quire here any further encomium from me. 
 
 Sub Genus MEIGLYTES, Sw. 
 
 214. — M. badi»s 7 . — P. badius, Raffles. — P. brachjurus, Vieillot and 
 Wagler.— P. rufus of Gray and Hardwicke, 111. Ind. Zool. (not of Wag- 
 ler and other authors). — Bay Woodpecker. 
 
 This curiously plumaged Woodpecker is a rare species in the penin- 
 sula. I have seen it. in thick forest in the Wynaad, and also in an 
 avenue in Malabar, in the close proximity of thick jungle. Mr. Elliot 
 also met it in the Southern Mahratta Country, and in his notes says, 
 " Ii remarkable for the head being generally smeared, as also the 
 scapulars and tail, probably from the gum of some tree." 
 
 Irides brown ; bill blackish ; legs slaty. Length about 10 inches ; 
 wing 4 _8_ths ; tail 2 ^ths ; bill to front nearly T yhs ; at gape 1 T Vhs. 
 
216 Catalogue of the Birds [Apbk. 
 
 Sub Gems CHRYSONOTUS, Sw. 
 
 215. — C. tiga. — P. tic/a, Horsf. and Wagler. — C. tridactyhis, Sw. — 
 Crimson-backed Woodpecker. 
 
 This very elegant Woodpecker is found in the forests of the western 
 coast, both at a low level and as high as 5000 feet, at which height I 
 have seen it on the Coonoor pass of the Neilgherries. The specimens 
 shot below the ghauts are considerably smaller thnn those I obtained 
 at a great elevation, which latter attained the size of P. Shorii of 
 Vigors, though not differing in colour from the smaller ones. 
 
 Irides fine crimson ; bill and legs dark slaty. Length varies from 9| 
 to nearly 12 inches ; of one of the latter size the wing is 5£ j tail near- 
 ly 4; bill to front 1 inch ; at gape 1 T Vhs ; of one 9^ inches; the bill 
 to front is T Vh.s ; at gape 1 T V IU - 
 
 Sub Family BUCCOIN^E, Sw. 
 
 Genus BUCCO, L,— Barbet. 
 
 216.— if. Indicus, Lath.— P. Philippennsis, Gmel. P. E. 333.-5. 
 favicollis, Vieillot. — B. rubricapillus, Lath, (from Brown, lllust. pi. 14.) 
 . — B. luteus, Lesson, albino variety. — Kut-Khora, H — also Tambayut 
 i. e. Copper-smith, which name it receives also from some European 
 residents. — Red-creseented Barbet. 
 
 The Copper-smith is extremely common in all parts of the country, 
 wherever there are a sufficiency of trees, inhabiting open spaces in the 
 jungles (never in the denser portions), groves, avenues, and gardens; 
 being very familiar, approaching close to houses, and sometimes perching 
 on the house top. As far as I have observed, it does not climb like the 
 woodpeckers, but when feeding, hops about the branches like a perching 
 bird. Though 1 never detected this Barbet tapping like the wood- 
 peckers, I have once or twice had good reason for supposing that it 
 does so occasionally. The chief food of the Copper-smith is fruit of 
 various kinds, sometimes insects. When not employed in feeding, it 
 generally seats itself on the very top of a tree, and gives utterance to its 
 monotonous call of ' took took took' (as represented by Sykes), nodding 
 its head at each call, first to one side and then to the other. 
 
 Irides lake red; bill black ; legs red. Length 6i inches; wing 
 3_«^ths; tail li ; tarsus Jilhs ; bill at front nearly T Vhs; at gape 
 I inch. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 217 
 
 217.— B. viridis, Gmel.— B. zeilanicus, Lath.— Brown, 111. Zool. pi. 
 15., LeCabezon.— Kettorea, Viit\\\o\ t —B.Lathamii, Vieillot,Enclv. Meth. 
 — B. caniceps, Franklin, Cat. — Kootoomra, H. of some shikarees. — KoO' 
 toorga, Mahr. — Koolur Kakee, Can., all named from its call. — Brown* 
 headed Barbel. — Jungle Barbet. 
 
 This Barbel is found throughout India, only in the higher jungles, 
 and is therefore of course most abundant on the west coast, where it is 
 found from the level of the sea to the top of the Neilgherries, where 
 it is more abundant than in any other locality I have visited. There 
 is a very remarkable variation in the size of this species, the largest 
 specimens being found on the Neilgherries, and degenerating in size, 
 as you approach the coast. From Mr. Elliot's notes I extract the fol- 
 lowing interesting observations — " Seldom seen on the wing ; but sin- 
 gle birds heard on almost every tree, uttering their peculiar note which 
 resembles the native (Canarese) name, being a continued Kooturr 
 Koturrr, or K'turrr. They continue to call for some minute at a time, 
 and are heard throughout the day. On each side of the throat is a 
 naked spot with skin wrinkled, which is probably contracted and ex- 
 panded when the bird is calling." This bird does not climb l ; kea 
 woodpecker, and I never heard any tapping from the trees it frequents. 
 Its most general food is fruits'and berries, occasionally it eats various 
 insects. Mr. Elliot says " one was shot picking at the flowers of a 
 small tree." 
 
 Irides reddish brown ; bill and legs pale horny brown. 
 
 Length varies from hardly 8 to 10 inches; of the largest one, the 
 wing is 4£ ; tail nearly 3; tarsus l T '- ths; and bill at gape l, 8 ths. In 
 the smallest, the bill is only l-^ths; wing 4 ; and tail 2£ inches. 
 
 Genus YUNX.— L. 
 
 218.— Y. torquilla ? .— Wryneck. 
 
 Mr. Elliot obtained a single specimen of this bird, or a nearly allied 
 species, in the middle of the month of April, in the Southern Mahratta 
 Country. It was seated on the ground in the bed of a dry tank. I have 
 never seen it, and add Mr. Elliot's description for the sake, of compa- 
 rison. 
 
 "Above of a beautiful speckled grey, with a broad irregular dark 
 line from the crown to the middle of the back; so dark in parts as to 
 appear almost like black spots. Cheeks and throat pale yellowish, with 
 narrow transverse bars, which are also continued on the chin, which 
 has a white ground. A dark broad line runs from the eye to the ear,. 
 
218 Catalogue of the Birds [Afbil 
 
 and another darker, narrower, and better defined down the side of the 
 throat. Breast and upper belly white, with small triangular black 
 spots; wing coverts have a yellowish tinge. The quills are barred with 
 brown and isabella. Rump aud tail speckled ; the former with black 
 longitudinal streaks, the latter with 3 darker, broad bands, and partially 
 edged with black. Bill straight, round, pointed— legs shielded, of a 
 greenish horn colour. Irides crimson. 
 Length nearly 7£ inches; tongue lung as in the woodpeckers." 
 
 Family CERTHIADiE— Creepers. 
 
 Sub Family SITTING.- Nuthatches. 
 
 Gknds SITTA.— L. 
 
 219.— S. castaneoventris, Franklin, CH.—Chesnut-beUied Nuthatch. 
 
 I have hitherto seen this Nuthatch but on one occasion, which I shot 
 in Goomsoor, in high forest jungle. I lfave, however, seen specimens 
 shot at the top of the Guzzlehutty pass, in Mysore. 
 
 Length 5^ inches ; wing 3; tail U; tarsus T ^ -ths ; bill at front 
 ^iths; at gape ^ -ths ; bill black ; legs plumbeous brown. 
 
 Genus DENDROPHILA, Sw.— Social Nuthatch. 
 
 220.— D. frontalis.— Sitla frontalis, Sw., Zool. 111.— S. velata, Temm. 
 **• C.— Velvet-fronted blue Nuthatch. 
 
 This lovely little Creeper is found in great abundance in the dense 
 woods of the Neilgherries. I have seen it, though rarely, below the 
 ghauts, also in thick forest jungle. It hunts, in general, in small par- 
 ties of five or six ; is very active and restless, creeping round the hori- 
 zontal branches chiefly, and seeming to prefer the under side of the 
 branches, and also running downwards. It feeds on various small 
 insects, which it picks off the bark, but does not tap like the common 
 Nuthatch. 
 
 Irides light yellow ; bill orange. Length 5 inches; wing 3 ; tail 1 J ; 
 bi\l to front T yhs . a t gape T vths ; tarsus hardly fttbs ; hind toe with- 
 out claw ^ an inch. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 21Q 
 
 Family CUCULID.E— Cuckoos. 
 
 Sub Family CUCULINiE, Sw. — Parasitic Cuckoos. 
 
 Genus CUCULUS, L. 
 
 221. — C. canorus, L. — Cuckoo of Europe. 
 
 The European Cuckoo, said by Franklin to be so common in Bengal, 
 is rarely met with south of N. lat. 20. Its well known note was 
 frequently heard in Goomsoor. Colonel Sykes too mentions it as 
 found, though rarely, in the Bombay Deccan, and I obtained a speci- 
 men of what, I conceive, may be the young of this bird, as far south as 
 the Tapoor pass (N. lat. 11°), and have seen the sime bird apparently 
 once or twice in wild jungly districts on the table land. I add a brief 
 
 description of my bird, as I am by no means certain that it is the same 
 as the European Cuckoo. 
 
 Descr. — Above brownish cinereous, the feathers all edged with white; 
 beneath white, transversely barred with dusky brown ; bill blackish ; 
 yellow at base ; legs, toes and claws yellow. 
 
 Length 14 inches ; wing8f; tail 7; tarsus T Vhs j bill to front -r^ths. 
 at gape 1 T %ths. Should my bird prove to be a different species from 
 the European Cuckoo, it is perhaps the C. tenuirpstris of Lesson. 
 
 222. — C. fvgax, Horsf.— Bye han Cuckoo, Lath. — Koopuk, H.— = 
 Oopuk, of some. — Pipeeha in Bengal from its note. — Indian Cuckoo. 
 
 The Indian Cuckoo is found all over the peninsula in the more 
 wooded districts, not only in thick jungles but also in groves and 
 gardens. It is very numerous in the thickly wooded western coast, 
 and its loud, shrill crescendo notes, very similar to those of the 
 Koweel, are heard in every avenue. It flies very like the Shikra, and 
 it is frequently pursued by small birds, probably under that impression. 
 
 The Koopuk lives chiefly on fruit, especially the fig of the banian 
 tree, occasionally, however, on caterpillars, and other soft insects. 
 I extract the following from Mr. Elliot's notes regarding its peculiar 
 cry: " The note is whe-wheewa, whe-wheewa, whe-wheewa, uttered 8 
 or 10 times, and sometimes oftener. The first syllables lower, gra- 
 dually rising till the last become extremely loud and shrill." 
 
 The dark spots on the breast and belly of this bird, have the same 
 character as those of the hawks, being longitudinal in the young bird, 
 and becoming transverse with age. 
 
220 Catalogue of the Birds [Araiu 
 
 Irides bright yellow ; bill brown ; yellowish at the base ; gape, eyelids 
 and feet, of a deep bright yellow. Length 13 inches ; wing 8 ; tail 7 
 tarsus -jSg-ths ; bill to front T Vhs ; at gape I T Vhs. 
 
 223. — C. Himalayajius, Vigors. Gould's Cent. Him. Birds.— C 
 tenuirostris, Gray and Hard wicke's 111. Ind. Zoo\.— Small Bay Cuc- 
 koo. 
 
 This very elegantly marked Cuckoo, supposed to be confined to the 
 Himalayan mountains, is found, though rarely, all over the peninsula, 
 in thick forest jungle. I have observed it once or twice onh, in Ma- 
 labar, and in the Coonoor ghaut, but have seen specimens from Tra- 
 vancore, whore it appears tolerably abundant, and also from the eas- 
 tern range of ghauts, about the lat. of Madias. The 6t >maeh of the 
 only specimen I shot, contained caterpillars. 
 
 Length a little more than 10 inches; wing 5 ; tail 5; tarsus -rV-hs ; 
 bill to front ,'^ths; at gape rather more than 1. 
 
 224.— C./atMs— Gmel., Lesson Traite p. 151 ?— C. konoratus*—C. 
 
 Somieralii?—C. luffubris, Horf. h.—Powgya, Mahr. — Plaintive Curkoo. 
 
 Among the imperfect descriptions of authors it is often difficult to 
 
 determine correctly many species, but when the changes of plumage of 
 the bird are themselves considerable, the difficulties are greatly increased. 
 Such is the case with regard to the bird 1 am now going to mention. 
 The Plaintive Cuckoo, as it may be appropriately named, is an inha- 
 bitant of the western coast of the peninsula, an 1 is found alike in thick 
 jungle, and in the more open spaces, and even in gardens and avenues. 
 Though I frequently heard it, I only obtained two specimens, and am 
 indebted to Mr. Vaughan for the examination of a third. I have 
 neither seen nor heard it in any of the other districts of the peninsula. It 
 is found at all levels from that of the sea, to the top of the Neilgherries, 
 about Coonoor and Kotagherry, where it is found in thick bushy ground. 
 Like the other cuckoos it is found single or in pairs. It has a most 
 sweet and plaintive note, which is often heard, and which sounds some- 
 thing like the last syllable, being iche-whew, whe-whe-e-w, much length- 
 ened out, and very plaintive. I found its food to consist chiefly of ca- 
 terpillars. I shall add a brief description of the three birds I have had 
 the means of observing. 
 
 The first is entirely of a dark cinereous tint, with a strong gloss of 
 green throughout; tail blackish, edged with rufous ; quills beneath cine- 
 reous. A second specimen has the same glossy green colour above, with 
 the exception of the rump (which is lighter cinereous without any green), 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 221 
 
 and the forehead, which also is nearly devoid of the green, chin and 
 throat cinereous; breast darker do. banded with rufous and white; 
 belly pale cinereous, faintly marked with pale rufous and white ; under 
 tail coverts white ; tail black; the inner webs banded with white (except 
 the 2 centre ones), and all tipt white. 
 
 Another specimen has the plumage above entirely cinereous, with a 
 slight indication of the greenish gloss on the wings only. Tail as in the 
 last, beneath pale cinereous, vent and under tail coverts white, quills with 
 a broad white band on their internal webs. 
 
 Irides, in one specimen (the last) of a fine ruby red. In the first one 
 of a blood red, bill blackish red beneath (at the base), also at the gape 
 and internally ; feet reddish. 
 
 Whether this bird is identical with Cue. Jlavus of Gmel. or a differ- 
 ent species altogether, I leave to be decided hereafter. 
 
 Length 9 inches; wing 4£ ; tail 4h ; tarsus T Vhs; bill to front 
 T 6 o ths ; at S a P e r p o ths - 
 
 225. — C. dicruroides. — Pseudornis dicruroides, Hodgson, Journal A. 
 Soc. of Bengal, No. 86. p. 136.— Drongo Cuclcoo, or Black fork-tailed 
 Cuckoo. 
 
 This most extraordinary species of Cuckoo, disguised so effectually 
 in the garb of the common King Crow (Dicrurus), has been lately des. 
 cribed and figured by Mr. Hodgson, in the Journal of the Asiatic Society 
 of Bengal. I obtained a single specimen in the Wynaad, near Manan- 
 toddy, and never again observed it. As Mr. Hodgson's paper may not 
 have been seen by some of the readers of this Journal, I add his 
 description — " Black with a changeable blue or green gloss — inner 
 wing and tail coverts, and pair of extreme tail feathers, cross- 
 barred with white. An oblique white bar across the wings internally, 
 and high up. Bill black. Irides hoary brown ; palate red. Legs and 
 feet blue, 10 to 10 J- inches long; bill 1 -j-^th; tail 51 to5|; tarsus -ft-ths* 
 Long anteal toe -j-g-ths; long posteal do. T yhs ; weight 1* oz. Sexes 
 alike, exclusively monticulous and a forester. Tail of 10 feathers divari- 
 cated and forked. The two extreme feathers smaller than any of the 
 rest." Mr. Hodgson further says that " the cuculus lugabris, w ill I 
 think, be found to have a forked-tail, and to constitute a second species 
 of our proposed new genus." 
 
 I can only add to this, that in my specimen the legs were reddish, as 
 in the last species, and that the wing is 5 T Vths long. Irides also were 
 reddish brown. I may mention that lhad in my manuscript notes named 
 this bird " dicruroides" or ' dicruricaudus,' a name which its extraor- 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 223 
 
 obtained an egg from the female Koweel, it was of a dirty blue colour, 
 marked with some dusky spots.* Irides fine blood red. 
 
 Length of male 15£; of female 16£ ; wing of latter 7f ; tail 7hl 
 bill at gape 1 T Vhs. 
 
 Genus XANCLOSTOMUS, Sw.— Melias, Less.— Phcenkophaus, 
 Auct. 
 
 229. — X. viridiroslris. — New specie*?— Melias tristis, Less. ? — Melias 
 diardi, Less.? — Cue. Sumatranus, Raffles?. — Green-billed Cuckoo. 
 
 I cannot find in Lesson or Cuvier a description of this Cuckoo, 
 though that of the Melias tristis and M. diardi of Lesson, somewhat 
 approaches it. It differs, however, in several particulars from either, 
 and especially in size. 
 
 Descr. — Above blackish cinereous, with a tinge of green ; wings and 
 tail glossy green black, the latter tipped with white; beneath light 
 greyish, with a tinge of fawn colour, and mixed with blackish on chin 
 and throat. 
 
 Irides fine blood red; naked eye-spot cobalt blue; bill beautiful 
 apple green ; legs and feet greenish black. Length about 15 inches; of 
 which tail is 10 ; wing 5j ; tarsus 1 T 3 ^ths ; bill to front 1 inch ; at 
 gape 1 T yhs. 
 
 The Green-billed Cuckoo is found over all the peninsula, but it is an 
 uncommon bird, except in some few localities. I have seen it in thick 
 bamboo jungles at the bottom of the Coonoor pass, in thick hedges 
 and trees in the Carnatic ; and in bushy jungle in the Deccan. It 
 wanders about from tree to tree, or works its way through the thick 
 hedges, and feeds on various large insects, such as grasshoppers, 
 mantides and the like; also on caterpillars and other insects. It 
 makes its way with great adroitness through the thick prickly hedges 
 and bushes it delights to frequent. 
 
 230. — .X. Sirlcee. — Eudynamys sirkee, Gray and Hardwicke's Illus- 
 trations of Ind. Zoology. — Red-billed Cuckoo. 
 
 I have seen this bird in bushy ground on the top of the Neilgherries, 
 but in no other locality till I lately met with it in a hilly and low 
 jungly district, near Jaulnah. It has the same wandering habits, and 
 same kind of food as the last species. 
 
 Irides reddish brown ; bill cherry red, yellowish at tip; feet plum- 
 beous. Length 16 to 17 inches ; wing 6{ ; tail 9 J ; tarsis l£; bill to 
 
 • This bird is said to be excellent eating; 
 
224 Catalogue of the Birds [Apart 
 
 front 1; at gape I-fYtha > f eal ' ier '' °f head and neck with the shafts of 
 the feathers black, glistening and bristly. 
 
 Genus CENTROPUS, III.— Lark-keeled Cuckoo. 
 
 231. — C. Pyrrhopterus. — C. Philippensis, Cov.— Corydonix pyrrhop- 
 terus, Vieillot. — Cen. bubulus, Horsf. — Mahooka, H. — Crow Pheasant 
 of Europeans of India. 
 
 The Crow Pheasant is a common and universally spread bird, fre- 
 quenting wooded and cultivated grounds, in all parts, and found also in 
 the more open spaces of thick jungles. It is often seen in thick hedges, 
 also in woody nullahs, and in low bushy tracts. It feeds on the ground 
 chiefly, walking and running with great facility, and picking up various 
 large insects, centipedes, lizards, and even scorpions and small snakes. 
 It may often be seen walking along the bank of a dry tank, a bund of 
 a paddy-field, and being a remarkably slow and stupid bird, and of slow 
 flight, it is occasionally run down, or erei) caught by the hand, in suf- 
 ficiently open ground. A good shikra will also easily strike it down. 
 
 The Mahooka has a deep sonorous call, something like ' whoot, 
 whoot, whoot,' which is often heard in a thick bush or hedge, while th« 
 bird itself remains unseen. 
 
 Irides crimson red ; bill and legs blackish. Length 19 to 20 inches ; 
 of which the tail is 10 to 11 ; wing 7^ ; tarsus 2 inches; bill to front 
 l T Vhs; at gape l T 'V tliS - 
 
 Tribe TENUIROSTRES. 
 
 Family CINNYRIDiE.— Sun birds. — honey eaters. 
 
 Genus CINNYRIS, Cuv.—Shukuv-hora, H. i. e. Suyar-sucker* 
 
 232.— C. Mahrattensis.—Certh. Mahratlensis,Shw.—Cinni/ris orien- 
 tal, Frankl.— C. cyaneus, \ie\U.~Certhia Asiatica, Lath.— C. curru- 
 caria, Auct., Young male.— Purple honey sucker. 
 
 This appears to be the most generally spread of all the Cinnyrides, 
 and is the only one I have met with in the bare table land. In the 
 Carnatic it is less numerous, I think, than the two next species. 
 • Called Hummitig birds by Europeans in India. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 225 
 
 I have lately (February) seen the nest of this pretty little bird close 
 to a house in Jaulnah. It was commenced on a thick spider's web, 
 by attaching to it various fragments of paper, cloth, straw, grass and 
 other substances, till it had secured a firm hold of the twig to which 
 the web adhered, and the nest suspended on this was then completed 
 by adding other fragments of the same materials. 
 
 The hole is at one side, near the top, and has a slight projecting roof 
 or awning over it. The female laid 2 eggs, of a greenish gray tinge, 
 spotted with dusky. The first nest it made was accidentally destroyed 
 after two eggs had been laid, and the couple immediafely commenced 
 building another, in a small tree at the other side of the door, and, as 
 in the first instance, commenced their operations on a fragment of 
 spider's web. They reared two young ones from this nest. 
 
 The Purple Honey-Sucker has a very feeble, but sweet, chirping note* 
 It feeds like others of the genus, partly on the honey extracted from 
 flowers, and partly on minute insects, flies, cicadariae, &c. It occasion- 
 ally hovers on the wing before a flower, while extracting the honey, 
 but generally hops or flies rather among the smaller twigs. Occasion- 
 ally I have seen it snap at an insect in the air. Whilst feeding it fre- 
 quently opens and closes its wings. The C. currucaria is certainly 
 the young male of this bird, the outline and structure are the same, and 
 in Jaulnah it is of frequent occurrence, no other species of Cinnyris 
 but the purpuratus being found here : besides I have specimens in 
 which the change to the adult plumage is nearly completed. I shall 
 add a very brief description to show its difference from the next species. 
 
 Plumage above, of a glossy steel blue; beneath glossy purple; quills 
 and tail black ; plume of orange and yellow feather under the wing ; 
 bill and legs black. Length 4£ inches; wing 2-. I <? a ths; tail 1 ^ ; tarsus 
 T ^.ths; bill straight to front T Vhs. 
 
 Female, above greenish brown grey ; beneath pale yellow ; darkest on 
 the throat ; tail black ; quills dusky. 
 
 I have seen this bird on the very top of the Neilgberries, which shews 
 what a great degree of cold some of this tropical genus will suffer with- 
 out inconvenience. 
 
 233.— C. polita.— Certh. polita, Lath.— Ois. Dor. pi., 11 — Certh. fal- 
 eata, Lath. ? — Certh. purpurata, Lath. ? — Glossy green Honey-sucker. 
 
 I have seen this very handsome bird in the Carnatic and west coast, 
 where it is tolerably common, frequenting both gardens and jungles. 
 Food and habits of the last. 
 
226 Catalogue of the Birds [APBit 
 
 Descr.'— Above, glossy green; wings and tail dull black; throat and 
 breast rich purple hue. A narrow bright maroon red collar intervenes 
 between the rich purple of the breast and the dull blackish brown of 
 the belly and vent ; a tuft of orange and yellow feathers under the wing, 
 as in the last; bill and legs black. Length 5£ inches ; of wing 2 T 'gths ; 
 tail l-j-^ths; tarsus T %ths; bill straight to front one inch. Female, 
 above light greenish brown, quills darker; tail black ; beneath pale 
 yellow : only differs from the female of the last in the darker tint of the 
 plumage above. 
 
 The male, though sometimes confounded with the last species, differs 
 most conspicuously in the much longer and more arched bill, and the 
 green play of colours in the upper plumage. 
 
 234. — C. Sofa, Vieill. Ency. Meth. and Lesson. — Certh. Zeylonica, 
 Lath. — C. lepida, Sykes' Cat.? not of other authors. — Amethyst rumped 
 Honey sucker. 
 
 This species appears to be more abundant in the Carnatic than in any 
 other part of the peninsula. In that district it is very common, and to 
 be seen in almost every garden, flitting about from flower to flower, its 
 brilliant hues every now and then displayed to the eye as it catches their 
 reflection by the sun. 
 
 I presume that this is the C. lepida of Sykes' Catalogue, as that is an 
 allied species, but the descriptions I have access to of that bird do 
 not agree with this one, and moreover in Lesion's Traite the C. lepida 
 is also mentioned as well as this species, and said to have been received 
 from Amboyna. Nevertheless it may also be found in the west of India. 
 Mr. Elliot says of this species " builds a hanging nest with an entrance 
 nearthetop, opening downwards." I add abrief description: Male, head 
 and angle of the wings glossy green; throat, neck, rump and upper 
 tail coverts ameythystine ; back and coverts, with narrow pectoral bar 
 maroon red; beneath yellow, wings brown, quills edged with cin- 
 namon; tail black, bill and legs do. Female, olive green above, be- 
 neath yellow, chin and throat white, wings and tail as in male. Length 
 4 J ; wing2 T 1 7 ths; bill straight to point ^Iths. 
 
 235. — C. minima, Sykes. — S?nallest Honey Sucker. 
 
 This lovely plumaged little species I have only found but rarely in 
 high forest jungle in Malabar. It is very much allied to the last in 
 colouring, but differs, besides its smaller size, in the tint of the red 
 on the back, which is much richer in this one; there is no green on the 
 shoulders, the green of the head also is purer ; and the quills are not 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 227 
 
 edged with cinnamon. Length 3| ; wing 1 T V ns 5 D '^ straight to 
 front T Vhs ; 
 
 236. — C. Vigorsii, Sykes. 
 
 I have not been lucky enough as yet to fall in with this splendid 
 species of Ci?inyris. 
 
 Genus DICTUM, Cuv. 
 
 237- — D. concolor. — New species ? 
 
 Descr. — Above, brownish olive; beneath greenish white; wing and tail 
 brown. Irides brown; bill and legs brownish cenereous. Length 4 y^ths; 
 wing 2-j-Vg-ths ; tail 1 T '^th ; tarsus § inch ; bill straight to gape £ inch ; 
 to front -j-^ths. Sexes alike. 
 
 This, if a true species of Dicaeum, differs from its congeners in the 
 plain and sober colours of its plumage. I have found it in the forests of 
 Malabar, and also on the summit of the Neilgherries. It frequents 
 the highest branches of lofty trees, hopping actively about the small 
 twigs and flower branches, and feeding on various minute insects. 
 
 Sub Family PROMEROPID^E. 
 
 Genus UPUPA, L.— Hoopoe. 
 
 238. — U. minor. — Hood-hood, H., from its call. — Hoopoe. 
 
 The Indian Hoopoe is a tolerably common bird in every part of the 
 peninsula of India ; frequenting woody places, groves, sing'e trees, 
 hedges, and about old walls and other buildings ; and to be seen in 
 almost every garden. It feeds entirely on the ground, walking along 
 with ease, and picking up various insects as it moves along. 
 
 The Hood-hood (a name which expresses its call much better than 
 our English term) breeds, I am informed by shikarees, in the hot wea- 
 ther in holes of old walls and other buildings. 
 
 Tribe FISSIROSTRES. 
 
 Family MEROPIDiE, 
 Genus MEROPS, L.—Hurrial, H. 
 
 239.— M. Indicus.—Hurrial and Putringa, H.— Common Indian Bee 
 cater, often called by Europeans Green flycatcher. 
 
228 Catalogue of the Birds [Ap*il 
 
 This well known and' common bird is spread in numbers over all 
 India. It generally hunts like the true flycatcher from a fixed station, 
 which is either on the top or upper branch of a high tree, or on the 
 branch of a shrub or hedge, a bare pole, stalk of grain or grass, or 
 some old building. Here it sits looking eagerly around, and on spying 
 an insect, which it can do a long way off, flies off and captures it on 
 the wing, with a distinct snap of its bill, and then returns to its perch, 
 generally sailing slowly with outspread wings, the copper burnishing 
 of its head and wings shining conspicuously in the sun beams. Some- 
 times it hunts alone, at other times in small parties, seated near each 
 other ; frequently it captures one or two insects before it returns to its 
 perch ; and in the morning and evening considerable numbers are 
 often seen, sometimes in company with swallows, hawking actively 
 about, and apparently catching many insects. The bee-eater also 
 often changes its perch, taking up a fresh one at 6ome distance. It 
 has a peculiar loud, yet rather pleasant whistling note, which it often 
 repeats in the mornings and evenings when gathered together. In 
 the bare table land, the Hurrial generally retires to some secluded 
 and jungly districts for the purpose of breeding, which it is said to do 
 in holes in ravines. It sometimes picks an insect off the ground or off 
 a flower or branch. 
 
 I have often seen this bird collect towards sunset in small parties on 
 a road, and roll themselves about in the sand and dust, evidently with 
 great pleasure. 
 
 Length to end of lateral tail feather 7\\ of wing 3 -J^ths ; tail 
 2 ,Vhs 5 tvvo central tail feathers beyond 1\ ; bill to front I T Vhs. 
 
 240. — M, Philippinvs, Anct. P. E. 57. — Blue-tailed bee-eater. 
 
 This bird, by no means common any where, is rarely met with in the 
 Carnatic or table land, and only, I think, in the cold weather. It pre- 
 fers a well wooded country, and I have seen it in Goomsoor in open 
 parts of the jungle, and in the west coast occasionally in similar situa- 
 tions. It is almost always found in small parties seated on the tops of 
 high trees, frequently among wet paddy-fields, and in general perhaps, 
 making a much longer circuit than the last one, capturing several in- 
 sects before returning to its perch. I have on one or two occasions 
 seen it perched on a low palisade overhanging some water, and every 
 now and then picking an insect off the surface of the water. I once 
 saw an immense flock of them at Caroor, in the Carnatic (Coimbatoor 
 district) and in the beginning of March. There were many thousands 
 of them perched on the lofty trees lining the road there, which occa- 
 
184 O.J ef the Peninsula of India. 229 
 
 sionally sallied forth for half an hour or so, making a great circuit be- 
 fore returning. These birds were most probably what had been spread 
 over great part of that country, now collected to migrate into a more 
 wooded region, during the approaching hot season when insect life is 
 scarce. 
 
 Like the last, this has a loud and pleasing sort of whistle, more full 
 and mellow than that of its more common congener. 
 
 Length to end of lateral tail feathers 9| inches ; two central feathers 
 beyond 2 inches; of wing 5^; tail 3f ; bill to front 1$. 
 
 241. — A/, quinticoltr, Vieillot, Encyl. Method, p. 393.— Chestnut- 
 headed bee-eater. 
 
 I have only seen this bird on two occasions, once at the foot of the 
 Coonoor pass in dense jungle, and again in an open forest on the Mala- 
 bar Coast. It pursued insects from a fixed perch, returning after hav- 
 ing captured one — was generally seated on a low bough, solitary, or two 
 or three together. Irides fine red. 
 
 Length 9 inches ; wing 4 T 3 ^-ths ; tail 3| ; bill to front 1 T s ? th s « 
 
 There is no elongation of the central tail feathers. 
 
 242. — M.? cyano-gularis. — New species?. — Nyctiornis .*. — Blue- 
 throated bee-eater. 
 
 Descr. — A broad blue stripe extends from the base of the lower 
 mandible down the throat and breast; upper part of the body, the 
 head and tail, green, with a bluish tinge; belly of a buff colour, with 
 dashes of green; eye, bright scarlet; bill and feet brownish black. 
 
 Length 14 inches; wing 5| ; tail 6 ; tarsus i inch ; bill If. 
 
 1 have two or three times observed this fine species of bee-eater at 
 the foot of the Coonoor pass of the Neilgherries, in dense and lofty 
 jungle. One time it was alone, the other times I observed it in pairs, 
 perching on the tops of the highest trees, and flying before you from 
 tree to tree. I was not fortunate enough to obtain a specimen, owing 
 to their extreme wariness, but was kindly allowed to inspect and exa- 
 mine a specimen procured by M. Delessert. I suspect from the short- 
 ness of its wing that it is a Nyctiornis of Swainson. 
 
 Genus CORACIAS, L.-Roller. 
 
 243.— C. Indica, h.—C. Bengalensis, Steph.— Cor. noevia, Vieill. and 
 Less., Edwards pi. 32G.— Subzuk and Neelkond, H., both words having 
 reference to its colours.— las, Mahr. from its call.— Indian Roller, 
 generally called Jay by Europeans. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 231 
 
 It has a very loud harsh rattling scream, generally uttered during 
 flight. Is said to breed like the other King-fishers in holes on the banks 
 of rivers. It is readily taken with a bait of a mole-cricket. Irides light 
 brown; bill and legs red. 
 
 Length ll£ inches; wing 4 T yhs ; tail 3|; bill to front 2 T ^ths; at 
 gape 2 T yhs. 
 
 245. — H. capensis. — Ale. capensis, Anct. — Malah-Poymah, Mai. i. e. 
 Jungle King-fisher. — Large Jungle King-fisher. 
 
 This large King-fisher is found wherever there is lofty jungle. I 
 have seen it in Goomsoor, Malabar, and Travancore ; also once lately 
 in a well wooded brook in the northern part of the table land. It fre- 
 quents brooks, rivers, and tanks, and, in the instances I have observed, 
 always feeds on fish. Irides light brown ; bill deep lake red ; feet 
 vermilion red. 
 
 Length 14 to 16 inches; wing 5-jSg.ths; tail 4; bill to front 3 inches 
 to 3 T \ ; at gape 3 T % ths to 4 inches. 
 
 Sub-Genus CEYX. 
 
 246. — C. microsomia, Burton, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1837?. — C purpureus y 
 Less. ? — C. tridactyla, Sykes* Catalogue. — Three-toed King-Jisher. 
 
 Not having obtained this little King-fisher, I have given the above 
 names as synonytnes with doubt. I have once or twice only observed 
 this rare bird frequenting a tank in the northern part of the Deccan. 
 
 Genus ALCEDO. 
 
 Sub-Gi;nus ALCEDO. 
 
 247.—^. Bengalensis, Gmel., Edw. pi. U.—Chota Kilkila, H. 
 
 This species, so nearly allied to the European one, is common over 
 all the peninsula, frequenting chiefly brooks and rivers, and feeding on 
 small fish, and various aquatic insects. I possess a variety in which 
 there is a good deal of white on the head, back of neck and back. In 
 this one too the bill is entirely black. I may also remark that in some 
 the shade of the plum ige is bluish green, in others of a pure blue. 
 Irides dark brown; bill black above ; lower mandible orange; feet 
 orange. 
 
 Length 7 inches ; bill to front 1 T Vths, 
 
232 Catalogue of the Birds [ApBII/ 
 
 Sub-Genus ISPIDA, Sw. 
 
 248.-7. rudis.—Al. rudis, Aact.—Koreyala Kitti'a, H.— Black and 
 while King-fisher. 
 
 Common over all India, frequenting brooks, rivers and tanks. Unlike 
 the other King-fishers which watch for their prey horn a fixed station, 
 and then dart down obliquely on it, the spotted King-fisher searches for 
 its prey on the wing, hovering over a piece of water like some of the 
 Terns, and then darting down perpendicularly on it. Irides hazel 
 brown; bill and legs black. 
 
 Length U to Hi inches; wing 5 J ; tail 2* ; bill to front 2 T y hs ; at 
 gape 2 T Vhs. 
 
 Family TROGONID.E. 
 
 Genus TROGON, L. 
 Sub-Genus HARPACTES, Sw. 
 
 249. — II. Malaharicus, Gould's Monograph ?— Trog. fascial us, Lath. 
 — Tro. Kasumba, Raffles. — 7V. Condea, Temm. P. C. — K oof nee Chooree, 
 H. of some shikarees. — Kurna, Mahr. — Kakerne hukki, Can. 
 
 This very richly phimaged Trogon is of rare occurrence in Southern 
 India, and I have only found it in the densest portions of lofty jungle 
 in Malabar and the Wynaad. It is, however, enumerated in Mr. 
 Elliot's Catalogue. It is generally seen seated motionless on the branch 
 of a tree, occasionally flying oft' to capture an insect, and sometimes, 
 though rarely, returning to the same perch, generally taking up a new 
 position, and wandering much about from tree to tree. I almost always 
 observed it solitary — occasionally in pairs, and on one occasion four or 
 five were seen together. In the stomach I have always found frag- 
 ments of large coleopterous insects. The Hindoostanee name Koofnee 
 Chooree, is given (says Mr. Elliot) " from its sitting with its head sunk 
 in the shoulders, as if it had no neck, or as if dressed in a faqueer's 
 ' koofnee.' " Irides deep brown; bill and naked skin of fine deep cobalt 
 blue; legs light blue. 
 
 Length 12 inches ; of which the tail is above 6; bill straight to gape 
 1 inch. 
 
 The female differs from the male in wanting the black head and neck, 
 which are of a light greenish brown. The belly is ochreous instead of 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 233 
 
 red, and the wing coverts are light ochreous brown, finely streaked with 
 black, instead of black and white. 
 
 Family CAPRIMULGIM).— Night-jars. 
 
 Genus CAPPJMTJLGUS, L. 
 
 Sub-Genus CAPRIMULGUS, Sw. 
 
 Chippuk, H. vulgo Dubchooree or Dub huh — also Undhe-chooree, 
 names given from its habit of squatting. 
 
 The species of this genus so much resemble one another that it is 
 almost impossible to make them out from description alone, and I feel 
 uncertain whether I am referring my specimens to their proper places. 
 Four species have been described as inhabitants of the continent of 
 India. I also possess what 1 consider four distinct species, and shall 
 in the proper place describe the most essential points of difference be- 
 tween these four Indian Night-hawks, without reference to any others 
 of the genus. 
 
 250. — C. monlicolus, Franld. Cat. 
 
 The only specimen of this species which I procured was immediately 
 below the Ajunteh ghaut, in the low land of Candeish, so that the name 
 of ' monficolus' appears inappropriate to its habits in this part of the 
 country, whatever they may be in Bengal. It differs remarkably from the 
 other Indian Cuprimutgi by the two external feathers of the tail being 
 entirely white, tipped with mottled brown. The white marks in the 
 four external quill feathers also are much larger than in any of the 
 others. 
 
 Length of my specimen 10 inches; of wing which reaches to the end 
 of the tail 8; tail 4]; tarsus y^ths. 
 
 251. — C. Indicvs, Lath.? — New species ? — Neilyherry night-jar. 
 
 I have temporarily placed this bird under the old name of C. Jndicus 
 of Latham, chiefly from the fact of its being feathered to the toes, as the 
 C. Indicus is represented in the figure in Gray and Haidwickc's Illus- 
 trations of Indian Zoology. It differs, however, from the description 
 and figure of that bird in having much less rufous tint, and being of a 
 darker shade altogether, both above and beneath. This may depend 
 
234 Catalogue of the Birds [Apbix 
 
 however, partly on age. I shall here give a brief description — plumage 
 generally of a light cinereous, very much mottled with black and dusky, 
 and in parts tinged with light fawn and cream colour; ears black, 
 edged with light rufous; line below the ears extending along the 
 gape, and throat spot, white. White marks on the four quills small. All 
 the tail feathers, except the two centre ones, tipped with white, with a 
 du*kv margin. Wing not reaching to the end of tail which is long. 
 
 Length 11 £ inches ; wing 7k ; tail 5 T 6 7 ths; tarsus, feathered to the 
 toes, not quite T ^ihs. 
 
 Besides the differences above mentioned, the inner surface of the 
 quills are represented in Hardwicke's drawing as being spotted on both 
 sides with rufous white. In my specimen the external quill alone is 
 spotted on the outer web only, and with very minute whitish mark<. 
 
 I have only seen this nigh t-jar on the summit of the Neilnherries, 
 frequenting the stony hills, and during the day taking refuge in the 
 woods. 
 
 252. — C. Asiaticus, Lath. ?— Small n>ght-jar. 
 
 The species which I shall for the present consider as th* 1 C. Asiaticus 
 of Latham, is the smallest and must generally spread of all the Indian 
 night-jars. I have found it in the Camatic, west coast and Northern 
 Cheats, but not yet seen it on the table land, where, however, it was 
 obtained by Col. Sykes. My specimens differ from the figure in Hard* 
 wic ;'s Illustrations, in wanting the black ear and sides of throat, but 
 appears to resemble it much in other respects. 
 
 Length 8| ; of wing 5£ ; tail 4£; tarsus T ^ths. 
 
 2*j3.— C. Mahrattensis, Sykes?— New Species?— C. Asiaticus.— vat. ? 
 
 This night-jar, which for the present I place under Col. Sykes' new 
 species with doubt, very much resembles the last in the general distri- 
 bution of the colours, but it is of a lighter tint throughout, and the 
 rufous of the last is replaced in parts by a lighter or cream coloured 
 hue. It much resembles the drawing of C Asiaticus in Gray and 
 Hardwicke, with which I suspect it is identical. It differs from Col. 
 Sykes' description of his Mahrattensis , in having a sub-rufous or fawn 
 coloured collar on the nape of the neck, and in the size and length of 
 the tail, as given by Sykes, whose species, if these are permanent dif- 
 ferences, is probably a different, though nearly allied bird, as it is stated 
 by Sykes to have the two external tail feathers, only, tipped with while, 
 like these two last ones, which after all I suspect may be perhaps but 
 mere varieties, this one differing chiefly in size, and the lightness of 
 
••' 
 
3 840 J of the Peninsula of India. 235 
 
 its plumage. In this case, however, there will still remain a fourth 
 species, viz. Col. Sykes' ' Mahrattenst's.' 
 
 My specimens were found in the northern part of table land near 
 Jaulnah. Length rather more than 9k; wing 6; tail 4^ ; tarsus nearly 
 T Vhs. 
 
 All the species of the night hawk I observed have the habit, when 
 roused in the day time, of flying a short distance, and then alighting 
 on the ground and squatting close, not moving from the spot where 
 they have first alighted. The note of the common one (No. 252), as 
 well as of the Neilgherry species, both resemble the sound of a stone 
 scudding over ice, or, as is well represented by Mr. Elliot, sound like 
 the word tyook, tyook, tyook. Mr. Elliot in his notes states that he 
 once found the eggs of the common species (two in number) placed on 
 the ground without any nest. They were pink, spotted with brown. 
 
 Family HIRUNDINIDJ3.— Swallows. 
 
 Genus CYPSELUS, L. 
 Sub-genus CYPSELUS, Sw. 
 
 254. — C. Jlpinus, Temm. — H. Melba, Auct. — Large mountain Swift. 
 
 As far as I can judge from descriptions, my bird is the same as the 
 European one. I first observed it on the road between Madura and 
 Palamcottah, when an innumerable flock passed over camp from the 
 range of eastern ghauts, travelling towards the east coast. It was 
 almost mid-day in the month of August. They kept a steady easterly 
 direction. 1 afterwards saw in Travancore single birds, flying about 
 at an immense height with great rapidity. I also saw them on the 
 top of the Neilgherries, towards the edges of the hills, and also at 
 Madura, flying in small parties every evening, just before sun-set, to- 
 wards the east coast, apparently from the hills in the neighbourhood, 
 as I did not see them during the day time. Its flight is amazingly 
 rapid. Length f) inches; wings beyond 2 inches; from flexure b.J ; 
 tail 3 ; bill straight to gape 1 inch. 
 
 255. — C. ojffinis, Hardwicke, Gray and Hardw. 111. Ind. Zool. — 
 Ababeel, H. — White-rumped Swift. 
 
 This species, though of general distribution throughout the penin- 
 sula, yet at the same time is so partially distributed as to have caused 
 
236 Catalogue of the Birds [April 
 
 Col. Sykes to say in his Catalogue •' so rare in the Deccan that I have 
 only obtained 2 specimens." It is found in all districts of India, but 
 in these is often confined to a small tract in the neighbourhood of some 
 few laige pagodas, large old choultries, and other similar buildings. 
 In the Climatic it is common at Madras, at the rocky fort of Trichino- 
 poly, and very numerous at the large pagodas of Madura, among which 
 their nests are thickly crowded. On the west coast I saw it on several 
 occasions, chiefly among rocky hills, but only observed it twice or 
 thrice throughout the whole length of the table land from the Tapoor 
 pass to Jaulnah, and then but few in number. At this latter place, 
 however, it is very common, breeding in some old choultries and other 
 buildings. It seldom, I think, takes a very long range from its breed- 
 ing placet. It builds its nest in company always, often thickly crowd- 
 ed together, placing them in corners and crevices of old buildings, 
 and forming them of clay, profusely mixed with straw, grass, feathers 
 and other soft substances, of which they appear externally to be en- 
 tirely composed. During the night they roost in their nests, four or 
 five often o icupying the same one, as I observed in the celebrated choul- 
 try at Ajunteh. 
 
 The eye of this Swift is deeply seated, the eyebrow overarches it, 
 and a ridge continuous with the eyebrow extends along the gape. 
 
 Length about 5£ ; wing beyond H ; from flexure 5 ; tail 1 T V ns - 
 
 256. — C. palmarum, Hardw., Gray and Hardw. 111. I. Zool. — Balas- 
 sian Sirift, Lath. 
 
 This little species is common in all the districts of India, except on 
 the hare table land, wln-re it is rare. As its name implies, it frequents 
 groves of palms, especially the palmyra ( Borassus fabelliformis J, and 
 does not in general fly to any distance from them. It is very abundant 
 in the Carnatic. According to Hardwicke it builds its nest on the leaf 
 of ill* 1 palm. 
 
 Length 5| ; tail 2i ; wing 4\. This bird is said in some works to be 
 nocturnal. I need hardly add that such is not the case. 
 
 Genus MACROPTERYX, $w.— Swallow -tailed Swift. 
 
 257. — M. longipeniiis. — C. longipennis, Temm. P. C. pi. 83.— Hit: 
 Kledio, Horsf. — Crested long-winged Swift. 
 
 This very elegant Swift is only found in the South of India, in high 
 forest jungle in the neighbourhood of hills. I have seen it in Goom- 
 soor, at the foot of the Neilgherry hills, and in various parts of the 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 237 
 
 jungle of the western coast. It frequently perches on bare and leafless 
 trees. While on the wing it has a somewhat loud parrot-like cry, very 
 different from that of the other species. 
 
 Irtdes deep brown ; bill black; legs bluish black ; soles of feet red- 
 dish white. Length about 10 inches; wings 6; tail 5; \\ inch longer 
 than the wings. 
 
 The female differs from the male in having black ears instead of 
 rufous, and in having a white streak along the gape. The elegant 
 frontal crest of this species is frequently raised when the bird is 
 sitting. 
 
 Genus HIRUNDO, L.— Swallow. 
 
 258. — H. Jewan, Sykes. — H.Javanica, Lath.? — Common Sicallow. 
 
 This is perhaps the most generally spread, and abundant of the Indian 
 Swallows, being found in all parts of the country, frequenting both the 
 neighbourhood of water, and open plains and gardens. It appears to 
 differ but very slightly from the European swallow. I do not know if it 
 breeds in this country, but think not ; and it certainly disappears from 
 some places during the hot season and monsoon. If it does not breed 
 in the North of India, it probably spreads over the north of the Asiatic 
 continent. 
 
 Length 7j ; wing 4| ; tail beyond 1 y^ths ; f ro m base 4. 
 
 259. — H. Erylhropygia, Sykes. — Red-rwnped Swallow. 
 
 This Swallow in general, prefers the proximity of jungles. I saw it 
 in Goon.soor, in the jungles round the Neilgherries (and also on the 
 summit of the hills), in various other parts of the west coast, and in 
 the Carnau'r, at the Tapoor pass. In the northern part of the table hind, 
 however. I have seen it occasionally in the cold weather only, both in 
 the neighbourhood of water and on dry open plains. It often is seen 
 in the jungles it frequents, seated in great numbers on a tree. Mr. 
 Elliot says of this species " flies after insects, and when its mouth is 
 full sits on a tree to devour them.'' This bird varies a good deal in 
 size. My specimens vary from 6 to 7\ inches long, of one of the latter 
 the wing is 4| ; and tail nearly 4. 
 
 260. — H.fdifera, Stephens. — H. fUcaudala, Frankl. Cat. — Leishra, 
 H. — Wire-tailed Swallow. 
 
 This, by far the most elegant of its genus, is only found towards the 
 more southern portion of the peninsula, about water. In the more 
 
234 Catalogue of the Birds [Apkix 
 
 northern parts, however, it is more abundant, and generally spread, 
 frequenting not only the neighbourhood of water, but also fields, 
 gardens and open plains. It. is found in small parties of 4, 6 or more. 
 It breeds in holes of old walls and buildings, generally in the neigh, 
 bourhood of water, also in wells and bowries, forming a small mud 
 nest much open at the top. Its long tail feathers are only observable 
 at a few yards distance, and in consequence of this, nine-tenths of 
 Europeans here are unaware of its existence. It occasionally percheg 
 on trees. 
 
 Length to end of true tail 4\ to 4| ; of wings (Ik inch beyond 
 tail) 4 , 6 - ths ; tail 1J ; long thread-like feathers beyond tail 5 inches ; 
 and more even. 
 
 261. — H. concolor, Sykes. — Small black Swallow. 
 
 I have never observed this plain coloured Swallow in the Carnatic, 
 northern division, or west coast, and only towards the more northern 
 portion of the Deccan. It is by no means numerous here — is solitary, 
 frequents tanks and rivers, and also gardens, fields and villages. It 
 breeds in the caves of houses, in high walls, and other buildings. 
 Length to end of tail 4 T Vhs; of wings 4 ; tail 2. 
 
 2G2. — H. Unicolor. — New species. — Hill Swallow. 
 
 Descr. — Entirely of a glossy cinereous, or mouse brown ; darkest on 
 head, wings and tail, and with a tinge of green, and palest beneath. 
 
 Length 4f ; of wing 4£; beyond the tail 1 inch; tail 2; slightly 
 forked and with the feathers very broad. The bill of this Swallow is 
 much smaller than that of any of the Indian ones, and is also much 
 hooked. It most closely resembles the Cyp. pulmarum in colour. 
 Tarsus Jith ; feet very small. 
 
 I have only found this remarkable species on the Coonoor pass of the 
 Neilgherries, and about the edges of the hills. It Hies in large flocks, 
 and with very great speed. 
 
 263.— H. Sinensis, Gray and Hard. 111. I. Zool. ?.— New species ?— 
 River Martin of India. 
 
 I know not if the little Martin I possess, be referable to the species 
 above named or not, though I think it is probably distinct. I have only 
 found it on one or two occasions in small parties, frequeuting rivers, 
 and breeding in holes in the river banks, during the month of De» 
 cember. I add a brief description. 
 
1840.] Carboniferous Stratum at Baypoor. 239 
 
 Above of a light brown colour, lightest on the rump ; wings and tail 
 dark brown ; chin, throat and breast, pale brown ; belly, vent and under 
 tail coverls, white. 
 
 Length 4$ inches; wing 31; taillJ^ths; wings reach £ an inch 
 beyond tail, which is very slightly forked ; tarsus T \ths ; bill to front 
 T Vhs. 
 
 264.— #. riparia, L ?.— New species ? 
 
 This Swalloiv I venture to place (though with hesitation) under the 
 European species, as I see it is enumerated in Franklin's Catalogue. 
 It differs from the last named species, chiefly in its larger size, lighter 
 coloured wings and tail, whitish throat, and in the rump being of the 
 same shade of colour as the back. 
 
 Length 4f 3 wing 4 ; tail 2 ; sligtly forked ; tarsus hardly T ^ths ; 
 feathered on the back down to the hind toe. 
 
 I have hitherto only seen this species on one or two occasions in the 
 neighbourhood of Jaulnah. It was on both occasions single, but flying 
 in company with other swallows (ff. Jeivan and H. filifera) in the 
 close neighbourhood of water. 
 
 II— Account of a Carboniferous Stratum at Baypoor near Calicut 
 Malabar Coast.-By Lieut. T. J. Newbold, 23rf Light Infanty* 
 
 In consequence of having observed some carbonaceous bits of clay 
 in the bed of the river at Baypoor, a sea port town about 6 miles south 
 from Calicut on the Malabar coast, in lat. north 10° 11', and long, east 
 75° 53', I took a canoe and proceeded up the river in order to exam 
 me the section of the strata, its northern bank afforded. It presented 
 steep cliffs, varying from 20 to 40 feet in height, which, near tha 
 mouth of the river immediately below the traveller's bungalow con- 
 s.sted of a gritty laterite ; that further up the river passes into'a ho- 
 montally stratified loose grit or sandstone; this often becomes com- 
 pact and variegated with red and yellow bands. Beds of an ochreous 
 yellow earth tend to loosen its structure, near which it assumes a f™. 
 able, earthy, character. 
 
 Not far from the bungalow, underlying these beds at the foot of the 
 cliffs, near the river bed, and washed by the tide at high water is a 
 seam or stratum of carbonaceous shale, passing into a black clay from 
 
240 Carboniferous Stratum at Bat/poor. [Aruit 
 
 the saline moisture to which it is continually exposed, and imbedding 
 carbonized branches, leaves and trunks of trees. This bed varies from 
 a few inches to five feet in thickness, dipping 4° towards the north-east, 
 and can be traced about half a mile in an easterly direction up the 
 northern bank of the river. It is intersected by deep, near!}' vertical 
 fissures, which are crossed in various directions by cithers more super- 
 ficial. Its structure is obscurely laminar, and the more earthy portions 
 of it glitter with minute micaceous particles. Other portions seem to 
 consist wholly of carbonized woody matter, and have a tough elastic 
 feel under the hammer. Its colour varies from a greenish black to a 
 jet black. In two situations it imbedded numerous small shells, some 
 of which had been reduced to fragments, and differing from the shells 
 at present found in the river. The identification of these shells would 
 probably afford an insight into the age of the laterite hitherto a deside- 
 ratum in Indian geology. Should we feel disposed to refer the age 
 of this carbonaceous deposit to that of the coal measures of Europe, 
 the laterite here might be classed with the new red sandstone. The 
 black shale and clay is highly impregnated with sulphate of alumina, 
 and is somewhat analogous to the aluminiferous shale of the coal mea- 
 sures ; and, like it, as before remarked, contains micaceous spangles 
 disseminated. The surface and sides of the fissures are frequently 
 coated with a yellowish efflorescence consisting chiefly of sulphur, iron 
 and alumina: the two former of which appear to be in process of 
 combination into the pyrites, usually seen in coal, rather than the result 
 of decomposition from pyrites. The whole has a distinctly sulphure- 
 ous odour. The carbonized branches, leaves and trunks of trees lay in 
 a horizontal position in the black shale: from which, in consequence of 
 their weathering less, they often projected where washed by the tide. 
 The external longitudinal fibres and annular concentiic delineations of 
 some exogenous trunks were perfectly distinct. Some fragments were 
 brown, heavy, tough, and woody: others brittle, with a brilliant frac- 
 ture resembling a jet, light and bituminous; on some the thin bark 
 was perfectly distinct, and exhibited in a beautiful manner the differ- 
 ent stages of the carbonization of wood. Many fragments were pene- 
 trated with water, holding iron in solution, which had left on the sur- 
 face a glittering reddish brown enduit. 
 
 The whole appearance of these strata, their situation and the hori- 
 zontal position of the trees, leaves, and plants embedded in them, fully 
 bear out the theory of the formation of our coal-fields and wealdens (viz. 
 that they are the successive deposits of drifted trees, plants, clay and 
 sand on the bed of a river or estuary) against the objections of a late 
 
MADRAS JOURNAL 
 
 LITERATURE AND SCIENCE 
 
 No. 28— July 1840. 
 
 I. — Catalogue of the Birch of the Peninsula of India, arranged ac- 
 cording to the modern system of Classification ; with brief Notes on 
 their Habits and Geographical Distribution, and description of neio, 
 doubtful and imperfectly described Species. — JBy T. C. Jerdon, Assis- 
 tant Surgeon, 2d Madras Light Cavalry. 
 
 (Continued from No. 27, page 239J 
 
 Ord. HI.— R A SO RES, 111. Swains.— Game Birds and 
 
 Piseotis. 
 
 Family PAV0NID.E. 
 
 Genus PAVO, L.— Peacock. 
 
 26j.— P. cristatus, L. — Mohr, H. and Mali. — Common Peafowl. 
 
 The Peafowl abounds in most of the wooded districts of India, and also 
 in woody nullahs, and low jungle in various parts of the country. It 
 breeds most usually towards the end of the monsoon, 
 
2 Catalogue of the "Birds [J'-LY 
 
 Gends GALLUS, Briss. 
 
 266.— G. Sonneratii, Temm.— Junglee Moorgh, H.— Common Jungle 
 Fowl. 
 
 This Jungle Fowl is tolerably abundant in most of the lofty jungles 
 of the South of India, and is also found in the lower jungle in the Carna- 
 tic and eastern range of ghauts. It is not, however, met with in the 
 Northern Circars. It is very partial to bamboo jungle. I once found 
 the eggs of this fowl, seven in number, on the ground in dense jungle 
 at the foot of the Neilgherries. They were of a light pinkish cream 
 colour. 
 
 267.— G. Bankiva, Temm.— Red 'Jungle Foivl. 
 
 This species, hardly distinguishable in appearance from many of the 
 domestic varieties, and unquestionably the origin of most of the varieties 
 of our common fowls, is the only jungle fowl found in the woods of the 
 eastern ghauts in the Northern Division, and is very abundant in some 
 parts, as in Goomsoor. I do not know exactly how far south this 
 species extends, but know that it is found as low as Cummum, N. L. 16 a . 
 The crow of this bird is much more distinct and marked than that of the 
 last one, which has only a broken and very indistinct call. 
 
 Family TETRAONID.E. 
 
 Genus ORTYGIS, 111. Swains.— Hemipodius, Temm. — Three-toed 
 Quail. 
 
 268.-0 pugnax.-Hemip. pugnax., Temm. P. C. 60-2.-Tetr a onigri. 
 coUis and Madagascariensis of the older authors ?-Gooloo, H. in the 
 South of India.— Toorah of others.-iifccft throated three-toed Quail. 
 
 This pretty species is tolerably common in most of the well cultivated 
 parts of India, frequenting low jungle, and also fields of pulse, chfflee, 
 &c. It is sometimes found solitary, often in pairs, but also in bevies of 
 5, 6 or 7. It feeds on various grains and seeds, also much upon insects, 
 especially white ants, and the larva? of grasshoppers, &c. 
 
 Colonel Sykes and M. Temminck assert the identity of the plumage 
 of both sexes, and though I did not examine them when I shot several 
 in company, they were always clothed alike. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 3 
 
 This bird is often caught and caged by" the Mussulmauns of Southern 
 India. It has a peculiarly loud purring call, and this is made use of to 
 ensnare others in the following manner. The female is takm into the 
 jungle in a small cage, chiefly during the breeding season, which is said 
 to be (in the Carnatic) about the end of the monsoon. The cage has a 
 small plank iu front of the bars, over which an arched cover is made to fall 
 by the swapping of some thread, placed between the bars. It is then 
 placed on the ground in a low bush and partially concealed by leaves, &c. 
 The bird within begins its loud purring, and any of its kind in the neigh- 
 bourhood run rapidly to the spot, and commence pecking at the bars of 
 the cage — this soon breaks the thrend, and the spring cover falls, ringing 
 a small bell at the same time, by which the owner, who remains con- 
 cealed, is warned of a capture — 15 or 20 are occasionally caught in this 
 way in a single day. 
 
 Irides light yellow; bill and legs dull bluish. Length 6h inches ; wing 
 nearly 3j ; tarsus T V tns 5 bill to front ^ inch ; weight about 2 oz. 1 dr. 
 
 268, Bis. — O. Taigoor, Sykes ; figured Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. 2. 
 
 From the few opportunities I have had of observing this bird, I am 
 inclined to agree with Colonel Sykes, and place it as a distinct species. I 
 have only procured it solitary, in long grass on the more open spaces of 
 the forests of the Western Coast. Bill bluish, with a tinge of yellow 
 beneath. Irides pale yellow. Length 6 to 6^ inches ; wing 3 ; tarsus fully 
 T 8 ^ths ; bill rather shorter and less high than in the preceding species. 
 
 269. — O. Dussumierii. — Hemip. Dussumierii, Temm. P. C. — Toorah, 
 H. — Smallest three-toed Quoit,. — Button Quail of some Europeans. 
 
 This very small bird, probably one of the least of the order, is always 
 found solitary, generally in long grass, sometimes in the fields of pulse. 
 It is flushed with difficulty, and, as Colonel Sykes remarks, its flight is 
 abrupt and short. Irides pale yellow ; bill dusky ; legs whitish flesh- 
 coloured. Length 5^ inches ; wing nearly 3 ; tarsus , r oth.s ; bill front A^hs. 
 
 Gen. TETRAO. 
 Sub-gen. PTEROCLES, Temm.— Bock, or Whistling Grouse. 
 
 270.— P. eaeustus, Temm. P. C— 354 and 360.— Bur-Teetur t II.— Com- 
 mon Whistling Grouse.— Mock Pigeon of Europeans. 
 
 This is a very common and abundant bird in most parts of the open 
 country. It is not found in wooded districts. It associates in parties 
 
4 Catalogue of the Birds [Jilt 
 
 rarying in number from 4 or 5 to 50, or even more, and frequents the 
 open stony plains, and bare fields. It flies swiftly, and generally at a consi- 
 derable height, and as Colonel Sykes has remarked " has a most peculiar 
 and piercing cry which often announces its approach ere it is observed." 
 It feeds chiefly on a very hard kind of seed. When approached it often 
 squats close, and it is very difficult to distinguish it in some pieces of 
 ground. After its morning meal it always goes to some neighbouring 
 water to drink. Its flesh, which is brown and white, is remarkably hard 
 and tough, and will keep longer than that of any other game bird \ this 
 hardness causes it to be less appreciated than it deserves to be, for, when 
 kept a sufficient time and well dressed, it has an excellent flavour, inferior 
 to very few of the Indian game birds. 
 
 I have found its eggs several times lately in the mouths of January 
 and February, placed on the ground without any nest, 3 in number and of 
 light olive greenish hue, speckled with olive brown and dusky, of a scry 
 long shape, and equally rounded at both ends. 
 
 Length about 13 or 14 inches ; wing 7 ; tail (centre feather) ."> ; weight 
 of male about 9 oz. ; bill, legs, and naked skin round eye, cinereous. 
 
 271. — P. quadrieinctus, Temm. — Tetrao hidicus of Ginelin. — Hun- 
 dei/ree, II. — Painted Whistling Grouse or Rock pigeon. 
 
 This richly plumaged rock grouse, is much more rare than the last, and 
 unlike it is neither gregarious nor found in the open plains. It lives in 
 pairs, and frequents bushy plains, and stony and jungly hills. It flics but 
 a short distance, and its cry, which is of the same character as that of its 
 congener, though much less loud, and deeper, is never heard except win n 
 the birds arc first flushed. 
 
 I have lately got the eggs of this species, also, very similar to the 
 other, bu rather smaller, and with the spots fewer and larger. 
 
 Iridei deep brown ; bill red ; naked skin round eye, lemon yellow with 
 a green tinge ; feet ochre yellow ; claws reddish. Length 10 inches ; 
 wing 7| ; tail 3 ; weight of cock bird about 7 oz. 
 
 Gen. PERDIX.— Partridge. 
 
 272— P. picta, Jard. and Selby, 111. Orntth.— P. TIephurnii, Gray and 
 Hardw., 111. Ind. Zool. — Kala Teetur,ll. — Pointed Partridge. 
 
 The painted Partridge is not found in the Carnatic, nor in the 
 Malabar Coast, and I believe not in the more southern portion of the 
 table land. It begins to be met with first in any quantity about N. lat. 
 15 , in the neighbourhood of Bellary, and becomes more numerous ;is 
 you advance towards the north. It frequents both low bushy jungle 
 
1840,] of the Peninsula of India." 5 
 
 and grain-fields, especially those of wheat, and also long grass by the 
 sides of rivers, water-courses and elsewhere. The cock bird has a most 
 peculiar crowing note, which though not very loud, is yet heard a long 
 wav off. It may be heard morning and evening uttering this croak, 
 generally seen to do so whilst perched on a bu.-h. Mr. Elliot says well 
 on this subject — " Its peculiar cry may be expressed by the syllables 
 Che ke~herre>/, pronounced very gutturally. The poults chirrup like 
 crickets " The painted Partridge is not found in coveys, generally single 
 or in pairs. It breeds during the monsoon, lays 6 or 7 eggs of a smoky 
 bluish white colour, of an oval form, much depressed at the thick end. 
 It is not held in very high esteem for the table. Bill blackish ; hides 
 brown ; legs yellowish red. Length about 12 inches; tarsus l-p^ths; 
 weisjht of male about 1 1 oz. 
 
 Sib Genus FRANCOLINUS.— Spurred Partridges. 
 
 273. — F. Ponticerianus, — Perd. Orientalis, Gray and Hardw., 111. Ind. 
 Zool. — Teetur, H. — Common Partridge of India — Scavenger Partridge of 
 some. 
 
 The common Partridge is found in every part of the peninsula, both in 
 bushy ground, and more especially in cultivated lands, fields and gardens, 
 delighting in the hedge rows. It perches freely even during the day. 
 The cock bird has a most peculiarly loud and piercing call. It is often 
 caught and tamed by the natives, and becomes most familiar, following 
 its owner like a dog and uttering its loud call, when whistled or spoken 
 to. It is also much used for fighting, which it docs with great courage 
 and spirit. Its flesh is held in no esteem by Europeans. It breeds 
 towards the end of the monsoon, and in the cold weather. An opinion 
 prevails among the natives, that the partridge lives for seven years, and 
 is then changed into a Cobra di capella ! 
 
 274. — F. Spadiceus. — Perd. Spadiceus, Lath. — Spur-fowl of Europeans 
 in India. 
 
 Unlike the last species, the spur-foiol is only found in the denser jun- 
 gles, as well as of the Eastern as of the Western Coast, and generally 
 along with the Jungle fowl. It is found in the low brushwood of the 
 lofty forests, and when flushed, as it is with difficulty, frequently perches on 
 the bough of some lofty tree. It is generally found in pairs, and lied; 
 on various seeds and insects. I found the craws of some crammed with 
 insects alone, among which various species of Cimices were the most 
 predominant. Its flesh is excellent and of very high flavour. It is 
 found on the top of the Neilgherries in the dense wools there. The 
 
6 Catalogue of the Birds [July 
 
 female has been well described l>y Colonel Sykes. The natives generally 
 consider this bird as more allied to the jungle fowls than to the 
 partridges, and it is said to run with its tail elevated. 
 
 Bill, naked skin round eye, and legs red. Length 11-15 inches; of 
 which the tail is about 5. 
 
 Sub-Genus COTURNIX, Briss.— Quails. 
 
 275.— C. Dactylisonans.—Ghaghus, 11.- Large grey Quail or Deccany 
 Quail. 
 
 The quail of Europe is by no means common in most parts of the 
 peninsula, and certainly appears in greatest abundance during the cold 
 weather, though according to Sykes and others, it remains and breeds 
 here during the monsoon. It is found generally in long grass by the 
 sides of rivers, tanks, and nullahs, or among the grain-fields, aud gene- 
 rally in pairs. 
 
 Length 7.V to 8 inches. Average weight about 4* oz. ; bill dusky 
 brown ; hides light brown ; legs flesh-coloured. 
 
 276.— C. TextiUs, Temm.—Perd. Coromandelica, Lath.— P. alivacca, 
 huch.— Batteir, EL— Black breasted Quail.— Rain quail of some. 
 
 This pretty little species is very common in most of the well culti- 
 vated districts of India, frequenting the fields in bevies, and also patches 
 
 of grass in various situations, and low jungle. It breeds during the mon- 
 soon ; many natives consider it as the male of the last. Irides reddish 
 brown ; bill horny brown. 
 
 Length 6— GJ inches ; weight about 2J oz. 
 
 •277.— C. argoondah, Sykes.— Perd. Cambayensis, Auct. 'f—Lowalt, IT. 
 — Rock Quail— Bush Quail of some. 
 
 The common rock quail is exceedingly abundant in every part of India, 
 frequenting busliy aud stony ground, and also the neighbouring grain- 
 fields in considerable bevies. It is much used by the natives for fighting, 
 which it does with great spirit and obstinacy. 
 
 Irides reddish brown : bill dusky blackish ; legs red. Length G— 6 \ 
 % inches. , 
 
 /htf^ ***~^ &?'S ?z4l 
 
 ■27s. C. Perd. rubiginosa, Valenc.— Geerzah, II. — 
 
 Forest qhiiii. 
 
 I fully agree with Col. Sykes in separating this species from the last, 
 from my own observations, its different habitat, and the testimony 
 of all the quail fane . lUthern India, who will at once point out a 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 7 
 
 Geerzah among a lot of ' Loicalis. It is an inhabitant of all the forests 
 of S. India, and also occasionally and more sparingly found in low jungles, 
 and wooded nullahs in the Carnatic and other regions. It is found at all 
 levels, from the neighbourhood of the sea to the summits of the lofty 
 mountains of the Western Ghauts. The Geerzah, though also caught 
 and used for fighting, is in less esteem than the Lowuh. Irides brown; 
 bill dusky ; legs reddish yellow. Length G J— 6§ inches. 
 
 279. — C. crythrorliyncha, Sykes. — Koknee Lowah, H. — Red-billed 
 Quail. — Black quail of the Neilgherries. 
 
 This very handsomely plumaged quail is very abundant on the top of 
 the Neilgherries, frequenting the low brushwood of the woods, and occa- 
 sionally entering gardens. As it is mentioned by Colonel Sykes and also 
 by Mr. Elliot, in his Catalogue, it is probably to be found in all the more 
 elevated districts of the Western Ghauts. 
 
 Bill and legs fine red ; irides brown. Length 64 ; weight about 2f oz. 
 
 2S0. — C. Chinensis. — Perd. Chincnsis, Auct. 
 
 There is an accurate description of this species of quail in Mr. Elliot's 
 notes, taken from a single specimen, shot by a gentleman near Belgaum in 
 the Southern Mahratta Country. 
 
 F.ui.STRUTIIIONIDjE. 
 
 Gen. OTIS, L. 
 
 281. — O. nigi-iceps, Vigors — Gould Cent. Him. Birds. — O. Edwards'/ i, 
 Gray and Hard w., 111. Ind. Zool. — Tokdar, II.— Black- headed or Indian 
 Bustard. 
 
 This noble bird is found, I believe, over all the peninsula, except per- 
 haps on the wooded regions of the Western Coast, but more numerous in 
 some localities than in others. Wherever there are extensive plains, 
 whether of long grass or cultivated, this bird is most abundant, more es- 
 pecially on the trap formation of the north-west part of the great table 
 land. The Bustard is frequently seen alone, occasionally 2, 3 or <! toge- 
 ther, and often flocks of 20 or more are seen feeding in company. Its 
 most favourite food is large locusts and grasshoppers, also the common 
 black and red mi/lubris, various insects of the genus buprestis, scaraboeus 
 and others, caterpillars, centipedes, and even lizards. Mr. Elliot men- 
 tions ;i qunifs egg entire having been found in the stomach of one. In 
 
8 Catalogue of the Bir h [July 
 
 default of insect food, it eats various fruit, grains and seeds, especially the 
 fruit of the Ber (Zizyphux Jujuba). Several small stones are generally 
 found in the stomach, and I once found some large fragments of a brass 
 bangle in one. 
 
 The Bastard breeds most generally about (he end of the monsoon, and 
 subsequent cold weather, the female laying one or two eggs ; it, however, 
 varies much in the time of breeding. The egg is of a dark olive colour, 
 with obscure darker blotches. When feeding, it is generally wary and diffi- 
 cult to approach, but during the heat of the day it lies down either in 
 the long grass, or in the shade of some bush, and is then often approached 
 quite close. It usually takes a long flight when once raised, often several 
 miles, and flies with a continued flapping of its wings, never sailing. 
 
 The Bustard has a loud hoarse call, by some compared to a bark or a 
 bellow, this is rarely heard however, except when the bird is alarmed. It 
 lias, however, another cry, as I learn from Mr. Elliot's notes, which is'pro- 
 bably the call to its mate. I extract Mr. Elliot's note on the subject. 
 " October 1 2th, killed a large cock bustard. When first seen he was 
 making a curious noise, like a person in pain moaning, which was heard at 
 a considerable distance. I at first thought it proceeded from some one 
 in di-tress, and rode towards the spot under that impression, until I saw 
 the bustard. He was strutting about on some high ground, expanding 
 his tail, ruffling his wings, and distending his neck anil throat, making 
 the feathers stand out like a ruff. I frequently afterwards heard the 
 moaning, always at the same season." 
 
 The gular pouch of the cock bird can contain three quarts of water and 
 more. 
 
 Length of male 4 A feet ; wing 30 inch ; tail 13 ; tarsus 8| ; bill (front) 
 3 ; expansion" of wings nearly 8 feet ; weighs sometimes 25 or 2G-lb« 
 The female is about a third less and measures about ,U- feet in length. 
 
 282.— O. ai/rila, Lath., Jard. and Selby, 111. Om.— O.fulva, Sykes.— 
 probably also O. Indica, Auct. — Churz, Il. — T".o-mor, Makr. — Kun* 
 Jioirt, Can. — Florikin and Black Florikin. 
 
 It is still a disputed point among naturalists and sportsmen whether 
 the black florikin be a distinct species from the common one, or not— 
 and the only two writers on Indian Ornithology who have observed the 
 bird in its native haunts, viz. Major Franklin, and Colonel Sykes, have 
 pronounced it to be a distinct species. From the synonymes I have 
 adopted, it will be seen that I consider them identical, and from my 
 own observations I have concluded that the black florikin is the cock 
 bird, in its summer or breeding plumage only, Colonel Sykes having 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 9 
 
 accurately described its winter dress as being almost identical with that 
 of the female. I may here state that there are two other opinions pre- 
 valent in India on this subject. One is that the black florikin is the 
 young bird, and that he changes to the livery of the female ; the other 
 is that he is the adult cock bird, but that he does not change his 
 plumage. The following are the chief reasons I have for consider- 
 ing the black florikin as the nuptial plumage of the common or fulvous 
 fiorikin. 
 
 1st. All black florikin examined by me (and others, I believe,) have 
 been males. 
 
 2d. The black florikin agrees exactly with the characters of the male 
 of the 0. fulva, as described by Sykes, in size, length of wing, and 
 acumination of the quill feathers — the points of difference from the female. 
 3d. The time of the first appearance of the black plumage of the 
 florikin corresponds with the era preceding the breeding season — and its 
 disappearance also coincides with the termination of the breeding sea- 
 son ; and I have seen specimens in all states of progressive change, from 
 the female garb to that of the perfect black florikin, and again from this, 
 their nuptial plumage, to the more sober livery of the rest of the year. 
 
 4th. No males ia the grey or fulvous plumage, in which at least 
 some black feathers were not visible, were ever shot by me during the 
 breeding or summer season, i. e. from June to November. 
 
 5th. I may cite the evidence of Lieutenant Foljambes, id a brief 
 pap r in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, in which he states 
 it as his belief ' that they are the same bird, but that the black one is 
 only met with in Guzrat during the monsoon,' i. e. the breeding season. 
 Lastly — I may state that several successful sportsmen, to whom I have 
 lately mentioned my opinion on ^this subject, fully agreed with me, and 
 even the opinion of those who considered the black birds to be voung 
 ones, is, I think, to be added to the testimony in favour of the blaok being 
 the breeding plumage of the male bird. 
 
 In the neighbourhood of Jaulnah, where my observations have been 
 chiefly made, I have seen the male hird just commencing to assume the 
 black plumage early in May, and I believe the majority of them have 
 assumed the perfect black plumage by the beginning of August. By the 
 middle of November most of them have, with the exception of a few 
 stray feathers, occasionally re-assumed their more sober grey livery. 
 I am perfectly aware that there are many occasional exceptions to this ; 
 dependent, however, I am convinced, chiefly on the well known great 
 irregularity of the time of breeding, so common in hot countries, where 
 the birds are not compelled, as they are in a cold country, to limit 
 
10 Catalogue of the Birds [Jcxt 
 
 their season of breeding to an odd month or two : and also partly on the 
 fact hereafter mentioned of many pairs breeding, especially towards the 
 south of the peninsula, after the great annual immigration in October 
 and November. 
 
 The most general time of breeding of the fiorikin about Jaulnah, is 
 the months of August and September. Birds have, however, been flushed 
 from their eggs as late as October. During this season the females are 
 remarkably shy and wary, and flushed with difficulty, and during the whole 
 monsoon, cock birds, either in a state of change, or in the perfect black 
 plumage, are almost the only ones to be met with. I am informed by 
 native sportsmen that the black bird is occasionally seen in company 
 with the hen at this time, or walking round her whilst fitting on her eggs, 
 yet I think it probable that the cock birds withdraw from the society of 
 the hens soon after incubation has commenced. 
 
 Though a few couple remain in most parts of the country, for the 
 whole year, and breed, yet the great body of them undoubtedly migrate 
 to the peninsula at the beginning of the cold weather in October, and 
 remain till March or April, when they emigrate for the purpose of breed- 
 ing. As before mentioned, after their arrival, several couples undoubtedly 
 breed, sometimes as late as December and January, especially in the 
 Carnatic, the Northern Circars, and Mysore. I believe, however, that 
 the great majority of them do not breed after their arrival in the south, 
 and that such as do are probably the ones bred late in the south of the 
 peninsula the previous year, and which were not sufficiently matured to 
 do so along with the others, in the early monsoon season of Upper India. 
 In the Carnatic, as about Trichinopoly, at the commencement of the season 
 in October, a considerable number of those brought in by the native 
 shikarees aie black, chiefly, however, in a state of change from the perfect 
 plumage — they leave this district in February. 
 
 I am informed that in the Nellore and Guntoor districts, both the most 
 celebrated florikin grounds in Southern India, the fiorikin do not arrive 
 in any numbers till November, and black birds are hardly ever met with. 
 This,* I may remark, is'an additional proof in favour of my opinion. A few 
 couple, most probably, remain even here, in the wilder and more sequester- 
 ed parts, for I have heard of a black fiorikin being killed in the '1 innevelly 
 district in the month of August. In the Southern Mahratta Country, as 
 I learn from Mr. Elliot's notes, the fiorikin arrive towards the end of 
 September, and remain till April, except a few stray buds in a state of 
 change that remain through the monsoon. 
 
 The florikin frequents long grass in preference to any other situation. 
 It is sometimes met within the grain-fields, also in fields of cotton and 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 11 
 
 dholl, and in the Carnatic so much in those of the grain called wanagon, 
 as to be named the " Wanagon J3»y/." 
 
 It feeds chiefly in the morning, and is then easily raised, but during 
 the heat of the day it lies very close, and is flushed with difficulty. It 
 seldom flies far, but often runs a long way to escape being raised, 
 especially on open ground. The chief food of the florikin is grasshoppers. 
 I have also found blister beetles (Mylabris), scaraba;i and other insects, 
 and even occasionally centipedes and small lizards. I have sometimes, 
 though rarely, heard it utter a kind of sharp quirk as it rose from the 
 ground. It has also a kind of feeble plaintive chirp, or piping note when 
 running. Its flesh is delicate, and of excellent flavour, and it is the most 
 esteemed of the Indian game birds ; and its pursuit is a favourite sport. 
 From the open nature of the ground it frequents, it is well adapted for 
 being hawked, and both the Luggur and Shaheen are often flown at it. 
 
 The egg is of a stunted thick ovoid form, very obtuse at the larger 
 end, and of a dark olive colour. 
 
 Length of the male 18-19 inches; of wing 8 ; tail 4 ; tarsus hardly 4 ; 
 bill front l T y,hs; weight 16-18 oz. 
 
 Length of female 1!H to 21 inches ; of one 20| ; wing 9| ; tail nearly 
 5 ; tarsus 4| ; bill front 1£ ; weight 20 to 24 oz. ; bill dusky above, 
 edges of upper, and all lower mandible, whitish. Irides pale yellowish ; 
 legs dirty whitish yellow. 
 
 Family COLUMBIDJE. —Pigeons and Doves. 
 
 Genus PTILINOPUS, Swains. 
 
 283. — P. Elphinstonii, Sykes. — Imperial Pigeon of the Ncilgherries. 
 
 I have hitherto only found this fine pigeon in the dense woods on the 
 6ummit of the Neilgherries, in small parties, or single. It is a retired 
 and wary bird. I found various fruits and small shells in its stomach. 
 Irides ochre yellow. Length about 15 inches. 
 
 Genus CARPOPHAGA, Selby. 
 
 284. — C. oznea. — Col. cenea, Auct. — Pogonnah, Mai. — Imperial Green 
 Pigeon. 
 
 The imperial pigeon of Europeans on the West Coast is found in all 
 the lofty forests of the West Coast, single or in small parties of 3 or 4, 
 It feeds on various kinds of fruit, and has a single low plaintive note. 
 
12 Catalogue of the Birds [Jolt 
 
 Irides and orbits, lake red; bill slaty, at base above red, at tip bluish 
 white ; legs lake red. Length 16 to 18 inches. I have never seen this 
 bird with the knob on its bill as represented in books, nor have I heard 
 of its ever being present. 
 
 285. — C. cuprea. — New species?. — Copper winged Imperial Pigeon. 
 
 I possess a single specimen of a fine pigeon shot in the Wynaad by 
 Captain Pope, of the Bombay army, to which, if it be a new species, the 
 above name may be applied. It might be considered as the young of 
 the last, but its large size, and the testimony of other sportsmen of a 
 copper winged pigeon found in Coorg, lead me to suppose it distinct. 
 
 1 add a brief description. Head, neck, and beneath pale lilac grey or 
 dun colour ; chin white ; back and wings brownish, with a faint coppery 
 gloss ; rump dark glossv cinereous ; quills and tail dusky black, the 
 latter tipped with cinereous ; under tail coverts, yellowish white. Irides, 
 orbits and feet red ; bill red at base, cinereous at tip. Length IS inches ; 
 wing 9 j ; tail 6|. 
 
 Genus VINAGO, Cuvier.— Green Pigeons. 
 
 286. — V. militarisf. — Hurriala, vulgo Hunva, II.— Common Green 
 Pigeon. 
 
 This, the largest of its genus found in the peninsula, is at the same 
 time by far the most common and universally spread, frequenting not 
 only jungles, but groves, gardens, and especially the fine avenues of old 
 banian, and other trees that line many of the roads in the southern part of 
 the peninsula. It associates in large flocks, feeding much on the fig of the 
 banian, and various other fruit trees. When seated quietly they are very 
 diffictrlt to distinguish among the green leaves. 
 
 Many are often brought down at a single discharge even when only 1 or 
 
 2 were visible. The green pigeon has a high flavour, and is considered ex- 
 cellent eating. As there is some doubt about the descriptions of this bird, 
 which is represented as having red legs, and as Gould has figured as one 
 of the sexes of this, a totally distinct species not found in the peninsula, 
 1 here add a brief description. 
 
 Head and neck, blue grey ; back of neck, yellowish olive, bordered by a 
 narrow band of blue grey ; chin and throat grey, tinged with green ; back 
 and wings olive green ; shoulders bluish purple ; breast and abdomen 
 yellowish green, mixed with bright yellow towards the lower abdomen and 
 vent ; under tail coverts reddish cinnamon colour, edged with yellowish 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 13 
 
 •white ; feathers of tarsus bright yellow ; thigh coverts green, edged with 
 •whitish ; tail entirely gray above ; beneath blackish, with a broad margin of 
 bluish white ; feet saffron yellow ; irides fine smalt blue, with an exterior 
 circle of carmine ; bill thick and strong, greenish white at base, bluish at 
 the tip. Length 12 inches ; wing 7h ; tail 4. 
 
 In the young birds the under tail coverts are dusky green, edged witli 
 whitish, and this is the only material difference I have observed among 
 numerous specimens from all parts of the country. 
 
 287. — V. aromatica, Auct. — Marrnon-backed green pigeon. 
 
 I have only found this handsome green pigeon in small parties, in thick 
 forest jungle in Malabar, and at the foot of the Neilgherries. One speci- 
 men differs somewhat from the others in having the face, forehead and 
 chin yellow, the under tail coverts mottled with green and white, and in 
 the bluish white tip of the lateral tail feathers being broader. This, I 
 think, may be a young bird. 
 
 Bill and irides as in last : the former much more slender ; feet and legs 
 lake red. Length about 10£ inches ; wing nearly 6 ; tail 4. 
 
 288, — V. affinis. — New species ? — Young of last ? 
 
 Descr.— Forehead and head grey ; rest of plumage green ; yellowish on 
 chin ; tail with centre feather green ; exterior onerous, with a black band 
 near tip ; under tail coverts barred with white and green ; bill, irides, and 
 feet as in the last ; bill stronger. Length about 10£ ; tail 3§. This may 
 be considered as the young of the last, which it resembles in size and form, 
 but the absence of the rich marroon colour of back and wings, the fact of 
 jts being always found separate, and other circumstances, have in- 
 duced me for the present to consider it as distinct. I have seen specimens 
 of this pigeon in several collections made on the ^Yest Coast, but have 
 only obtained it twice myself in forest jungle, and both times solitary. 
 
 289. — V. bicincta. — New species? — V. purpurea, Auct., Brown Bl. 
 Zool. ? — V. vernans, var., Less. Traite. — Purple and orange breasted green 
 pigeon. 
 
 Descr. — Back of head and neck above blue grey; forehead, top of head, 
 face, chin, throat, belly and rest of the plumage above, green of different 
 shades ; a broad band of orange or bright cinnamon yellow, on the breast, 
 separated from the green of the throat by a light purple band ; lower belly 
 and vent yellow ; some of the feathers streaked with green ; under tail 
 coverts entirely cinnamon colour : tail above grey, with a central dark band, 
 and edged lighter ; beneath almost black; whitish at the tip ; edges of the 
 
14 Catalogue of the Birds [July 
 
 wing cover ts marked with yellow more broadly than in the other of this 
 genus. Length about 10 inches ; wing 6 ; tail rather more than 4 ; feet 
 red ; bill and irides as in others of the genus. 
 
 I have only seen this very prettily plumaged green pigeon in a tract of 
 jungle near the sea coast, south of Tellicherry. 
 
 289, bis. V. unicolor. — New species ? — Young of last ? 
 
 Descr. — Above entirely olive green, except a shade of blue grey on the 
 back of the neck ; beneath and forehead yellow green, almost yellow at the 
 vent ; under tail coverts white, mixed with yellow and cinnamon ; tail and 
 wings as in the last. Length the same ; wings and tail rather shorter. 
 
 I shot a single specimen of this pigeon in a grove of trees at Bimlipatam, 
 in the Northern Circars, and have never again seen it. It is of the same 
 slender make as the last species, and may be a young bird, but its very 
 different locality has led me to place it separately for the present. 
 
 Gen. COLUMBA. 
 
 290.— C. oenaSfli.^—Kubootur, II. — Blue pigeons. 
 
 The blue pigeon abounds over all India, occasionally found in the more 
 open spaces of jungles, especially in rocky districts, and in the neighbour- 
 hood of waterfalls— but more generally in the open country, inhabiting 
 walls of villages, pagodas, wells, and any large buildings, and breeding 
 chiefly in old walls. 
 
 Irides orange ; legs red. 
 
 291. — C. Javanica. — Bronze-winged Dove. — Imperial Dove of some. 
 
 This very lovely pigeon somewhat approaches the turtles in form, and 
 may be considered as a link joining them to the pigeons, from which 
 it differs in having rather longer tarsi, and in the outer toe being slightly 
 shorter than the inner. 
 
 It is a denizen of the thickest jungles, coming to the more open spaces 
 to feed. I have seen it in Goomsoor, in Malabar and the Wynaad, and 
 near the top of the Neilgherries, on the Coonoor pass. It feeds chiefly 
 on the ground en various seeds, is solitary, a shy and wary bird, and of 
 very rapid flight. Irides orange. Length nearly 12 inches. 
 
 Gen. TURTUR, Selby.— Fachtah, H.— Doves. 
 
 292.— T. tigrinus.— Col. tigrina, Temm.—Chitroka Fachtah, H. 
 
 This handsome dove is most abundant in the neighbourhood of, and 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 15 
 
 among thick and lofty jungles. It is, however, also met with in groves of 
 trees in the neighbourhood of the more wooded villages and towns, both 
 in the Carnatic and Decean. 
 
 hides lake red ; length about 12 inches, of which tail is 5. I have seen 
 a nearly albino variety of this bird once or twice, being of a pinkish white 
 colour throughout. 
 
 293. — T. Cambayensis. — Col. Cambayensis, Lath. — Tortroo Fachtah, H. 
 
 This little dove abounds over most of India, both in low jungles and 
 near villages and cantonments, being found especially towards the north 
 in every garden, and frequenting stable yards, houses, &c. 
 
 Irides dark brown. 
 
 294- — T. risoi-ia. — Col. risoria, h.—Dhor Fachtah, H. 
 This large dove is found over all the country, frequenting hedges and 
 trees in the neighbourhood of cultivation, also low bushy jungle. 
 Irides fine ruby red. 
 
 295. — T. humilis. — Col. humilis, Temra.- Serotee Fachtah, II. 
 
 Found, though more rarely than any of the last, overall India, frequent- 
 ing groves of trees, hedge rows. &c. in the neighbourhood of cultivation. 
 
 Irides dark brown. 
 
 None of these four doves are gregarious, being generally found in pairs, 
 though at certain seasons they occasionally congregate in flocks of various 
 size. 
 
 296\— T. meena.— Col. meena, Sykes. — Col. Turtur, var. ? — Kullur 
 Fachtali, H. 
 
 I have hitherto only found this species of dove in the jungles of Goom- 
 soor, where it is tolerably abundant, associating iu flocks of various 
 It is enumerated by Mr. Elliot as found in the Southern Mahratta 
 Country, but I did not observe it in the forests of Malabar. 
 
 Irides orange. Length 10 inches. 
 
 (To be continued.) 
 
16 Account of Minerals [Jclt 
 
 II. — List of Minerals fur presentation to the Society, collected from 
 various parts of the Nizam's territories, Ceded Districts, Kurnool, the 
 Southern Mahratta Country, Mysore, S,-c. — By Lieut. T. J. Newbold, 
 23d Light Infantry. 
 
 No. ].— A. Gneiss of Dummul at the base of the Kupputgode hills, 
 Southern Mahratta Country, the weathered transition gneiss of Christie. 
 
 No 1. — B. Not weathered variety, same locality, with pale rose- 
 coloured felspar. 
 
 2. — Mica schist, compact variety, Kupputgode hills. Before the blow- 
 pipe, per se, in the plalinum forceps, this rock fuses into a black enamel. 
 
 3. — Yellowish brown jaspery chert, same locality as the above, used by 
 Hydcr and Tippoo for gun-flints ; fracture conchoidal, translucent at 
 edges. 
 
 4.— Basanite, or flinty slate traversed by quartz veins, associated with 
 the schists of the Kupputgode range. 
 
 o.— Lateretoidal rock, into which the higher and more ferruginous 
 portions of the schists, composing the Kupputgode hills, pass. 
 
 6.— Black oxide of manganese, combined with oxide of iron and alu- 
 mina ; with decomposing quartz and felspar veins : thee xterior exhibit- 
 ing a disposition to the boryoidal structure. 
 
 7. — Variety of the above 
 
 8.— Do. do. 
 
 9.— Porphyritic chlorite rock. Pale rose-coloured crystals of felspar 
 imbedded in a siliceous paste, coloured by chlorite ; some of the crystals 
 decomposing into a whitish clay. This rock is associated with the 
 siliceous chlorite schist of the Kupputgode hills. Although, petrogra- 
 phically considered, it might be correctly pronounced a porphyry, yet I 
 have preferred the name just given it, as more in keeping with the geo- 
 gnostic position of the rock. This rock I have seen in various parts of 
 Mysore and the Ceded Districts, associated with granite and the primary 
 schists. 
 
 JO. — A, Chlorite slate, same locality. 
 
 10. — B. Do. siliceous variety, exhibiting the tendency of this rock to 
 split into rhomboids. 
 
 ] 1.— Siliceous mica slate, same locality, showing traces of copper. 
 
 12.— White sub-crystalline limestone — the more granular varieties 
 closely resemble Carara marble— in veins in the schistous diorite, Kup- 
 putgo le range. 
 
 13th.— Do. do. altered in colour, near line of contact with the slate. 
 
 14th. — Rhomboidal calc-spar, same locality. 
 
MADRAS JOURNAL 
 
 LITERATURE AND SCIENCE. 
 
 No. 29— October 1840, 
 
 I. — Catalogue of the Birds of the Peninsula of India, arranged ac- 
 cording to the modern system of Classification ; icith brief Notes on 
 their Habits and Geographical Distribution, and description of new, 
 doubtful and imperfectly described Species. — By T. C. Jerdon, Assis- 
 tant Surgeon, 2d Madras Light Cavalry. 
 
 (Concluded from No. 28 page 15.) 
 
 Ord. GRALLATORES.— Waders. 
 
 Family ARDEAD/E. — Cranes and Herons. 
 
 Genus GRUS, L. — Crane. 
 
 I shall commence this family with the Cranes, which have been 
 accidentally omitted in Swainson's Synopsis. 
 
 297. — Q. Antigone, Edw. pi. 45. — Surrus, II. — Greater Indian Crane. 
 I have only observed this fine bird once or twice on the banks of 
 the Godavery and Kistnah rivers, but extract from Mr. Elliot's notes 
 the following excellent observations, chiefly made in Guzrat, it being 
 but a rare visitant to the Southern Mahratta Countrv. 
 
194 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 " The Sarrus lives always in pairs, though several pairs are frequent- 
 ly seen together, and occasionally, though rarely, a stray bird, cither a 
 young one, or one that has lost its mate, with another pair. Every 
 morning they are seen at sun-rise winging their way to the cultivated fields, 
 to feed upon grain, their sole aliment — and about 11 or 12 o'clock, they 
 make their way to the nearest water to drink, always preferring the 
 sandy beds of rivers, where they are seen in the greatest numbers, but 
 not disdaining to resort to tanks, should no stream be near. There 
 they remain all day, and at evening again, betake themselves to the 
 fields, returning to pass the night by the water side. When alarmed 
 and when on the wing in the morning flights, they utter a fine clear 
 trumpet-like note." 
 
 The Sarrus is migratory, appearing in the Peninsula only in the cold 
 weather. 
 
 Irides vinous red; bill pale sea green, brownish at the tip; legs 
 rosj red, passing into brown in front. Length 52 inches; expansion of 
 wings 7 feet 9 inches ; tarsus 13 ; bill G ; weight 17 lbs. 
 
 From the testimony of Shikaries and others, there appears to be 
 another large Crane, which occasionally visits the Peninsula, and from 
 the descriptions I have heard, it is probably the Grim Torquata of Vieil- 
 lot and YYagler- 
 
 293. — G. clnerea. — Ardea Grus, I.. -Koolung, H. — Common Crane. 
 
 The well known Crane is found in India in tl .son only, 
 
 livin" in pairs or small parties of G, 8, or more. lias similar habits and 
 food with the Sarrus Crane. On one occasion I found the flowers of 
 tlie Koosoom (Carthamus tinctorius) to have been the only food partaken 
 of. This was late in March when most of the grains were cut. The 
 Koolung is often se<m in company with the next bird. 
 
 Irides reddish yellow, brown in some; bill sea green; legs black. 
 Length 3J feet; expansion of wings about G feet; tarsus 8| ; bill at 
 front 4. 
 
 Sub Gekds ANTHROPOIDES, Vieillot. 
 
 299. — ^4. Virgo.— Ardea Virgo, L.— la Demoiselle, BufT. P. E., 241. 
 — Kiirrouch, H. also Kwkurrah. — Kurkoncha, Can. ; all named from the 
 call of the bird — Demoiselle Crane. 
 
 This most elegant, and chastely coloured bird is found over most 
 the Peninsula, during the cold weather, and in much greater number- 
 
1840.] vf the Peninsula of India. 195 
 
 than either of the two last Cranes. Like those it is most abundant 
 in the neighbourhood of the larger livers, and has similar habits and 
 food. 
 
 Mr. Elliot in his notes says " rTies in vast flocks— from 50 to 100, 
 and even 500, with great regularity of arrangement, in a long line, a few 
 of the leading ones deposing themselves in another line at an angle, 
 varying from a right to an acute one with it. This is when they are in 
 progress — at other times, as when disturbed during the heat of the day, 
 they may he seen circling round at a great height, but still a regular 
 order of lines may lie distinguished. Their favourite food is chenna 
 (Cicer arietinum). They never go to tanks to drink but always to 
 rivers." When this bird is struck by a Bhyree (Falco peregriuus) its 
 mate generally comes to its assistance. The Bhyree always strikes it 
 on the back and wings, to avoid being wounded by the sharp inner (law, 
 with which, if struck on the head, it generally manages to inflict severe 
 wounds on the breast of the falcon. 
 
 Irides fine vinous red; bill greenish at the base, yellowish in the 
 middle, and inclining to pink at the tip; legs black. Length 2| feet ; 
 expansion about 5 feet; tarsus 6J inches; bill to front 2J'_ths. 
 
 The inner claw of all these Cranes is much hooked, and exceedingly 
 sharp, and it always in self-defence strikes with its claw and never with 
 its bill. 
 
 Genus ARDEA, Heron.— Buglah, II. 
 
 Sub Genus ARDEA, Swains. 
 
 300. — A cinerea, Lath. — A. major, Gmel.—Kabood, II. — Common 
 Heron. 
 
 The European Heron is found all over India throughout the year, 
 frequenting tanks and rivers. It is generally solitary, hut is occasionally 
 met with in parties of 4 or 5 together. It breeds in the more wood,.] 
 districts on the top of lofty tress, during the hot weather, generally 4 or 
 5 nests being placed together. Length 8 feet : bill at front 5_«p at gape. 
 Gh ; tarsus 6k ; centre toe and claw 4* ; hind do. 2L 
 
 301. — A. purpurea, Auct. also A. purpnrata. — Narcc, II. — Purpled 
 Heron. 
 
 This species is much less numerous, and less generally spread than the 
 
196 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 last one. I have seen it most abundant in the wooded western coast 
 in the wet paddy-fields. It is also a permanent resident in India, but I 
 have not yet seen its breeding places. 
 
 Irides yellow ; bill brown above, yellow beneath ; legs yellow, brown 
 in front. Length 30 to 32 inches ; bill to front 4 T 8 ^ths inch, at gape near- 
 ly 6 ; tarsus 6 ; centre toe and claw nearly 6 ; hind toe 3^. 
 
 Sib-Genus EGRETTA, Briss. Swains. 
 
 302. — E. flavirostris. — A. flavirostris, Temm. and Wagl. — A. Torra, 
 Buchanan and Franklin. — A. egretta, Sykes' Catal.— MuUung Buglah, H. 
 — also Turrur Buglah. — Larger Egret — yel'oic -billed Egret. 
 
 This bird appears to have been first described as distinct by Buchanan 
 (according to Franklin), who named it A. Torra — and when without the 
 appendages, A. pidea. It has, however, been since named by Temminck 
 with a more scientific appellation, which I have therefore adopted. 
 
 The large yellow-billed Egret is tolerably abundant in most parts of 
 India, frequenting rivers, tanks, marshes, and the inundated paddy-fields. 
 
 Lengih nearly 3 feet ; bill at front 4 inches, at gape 5 ; tarsus 5k ; bill 
 yellow ; legs black. 
 
 303.— E. alba.— A. alba, Gmel., Lath, and Wag-ler ?— A. Egretta of 
 Temm. and others ?—Puttoka Buglah, H.— Large black-billed Egret. 
 
 Though I have not. hitherto obtained specimens of the large Black- 
 billed Egret, I have on several occasions observed it in different parts of 
 the country, always alone. It is probably the Egret of Europe, said to 
 be found in numbers in Central Asia. 
 
 304. — E. Garzetta. — A. Garzetta, Auct. — Keerchea (or Kilcheeah) 
 Buglah, H. — Small Egret. 
 
 This Egret abounds over all the Peninsula, occasionally associating 
 in numerous flocks, and frequenting rivers, tanks, paddy-fields, pools of 
 water, &c. &c. 
 
 Irides light yellow ; bill black ; legs do. ; feet greenish yellow. 
 Length about 2 feet ; bill at front 3 T *^th inch ; at gape 4 ; tarsus 4. It 
 is said by the natives that the bones of this bird, if reduced to powder, 
 and a little employed in the cooking of bony fishes, render the fish bones 
 quite soft, so that they can be eaten with satisfaction ! ! 
 
 305. — E. asha. — A. asha, Sykes. — A. jugularis of Forster and Wag- 
 ler ?.— Kola Buglah, II. — Small blue Heron. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 197 
 
 This is a comparatively rare bird. I have seen it but once or twice 
 solitary in small rivers, in the northern part of the table land My only 
 specimen differs somewhat from Colonel Sykes' description, in having 
 the whole under surface of the body grey, dashed slightly with white 
 on the neck and lower part of the body, chin and throat alone arc pure 
 white. It appears to resemble much the description of Ard. jugnlaris, 
 but Sykes pronounces his bird distinct, so for the present I place my 
 specimen under his appellation, as the only recorded similar Indian 
 species. Mr. Elliot in his notes says, " Is common on the western 
 coast at the mouths of rivers." 
 
 Iriiles light yellow ; bill brownish horny above, yellowish beneath ; 
 legs greenish black ; feet greenish. Length about 2 feet ; bill at front 3| ; 
 at gape 4 T ^ths ; tarsus 4. 
 
 306. — E. Javanica. Sw. — A. Javanica, Ilorsf. — A. Scapularis, Wagl. 
 — Kunchur Bnglah, H. — Indian Green Heron. 
 
 This pretty little Heron differs according to Horsfield and Swainson 
 from the closely allied South American bird {Ard. Scapidaris) in the 
 comparative length of the toes, and in the legs being feathered close 
 down to the knee. It is only found solitary on the banks of wooded 
 streams, perching in general on a low branch overhanging the water. 
 It is spread over all the Peninsula. 
 
 Irides light yellow ; bill blankish above, yellowish horny beneath ; 
 legs dark green ; feet yellow; lores light green. Length 17-18 inches; 
 tarsus nearly 2 ; bill to front 2 T 4 7J ths, at gape 3|. 
 
 807. — E. Malaccensis. — Ard. Malaccensia, Auct. — A. Grayii, Sykes, 
 Hardw 111. Ind. Zool. — A. affinis, Horsf. ? — A. Coromandelica, Lich. ? — ■ 
 Buglee, H. also Undhe Buglee. — Ma?'roo?i-bachcd Heron or White wing' 
 ed Heron. 
 
 The supposed new species of Colonel Sykes, named by him Ard. Gra///i, 
 I have ascertained to be the summer or breeding plumage of the common 
 Ard. Malaccensis. It begins to moult in April or -May, and resumes its 
 plain winter livery about September or October. Perhaps the most re- 
 markable circumstance connected with this is the change of colouring 
 the bill undergoes, from the usual plain dusky tint to the three coloured 
 hues it presents during the hot season. 
 
 The Buglee is a very common and familiar bird, frequenting rivers, 
 tanks, marshes, wet paddy-fields and pools of water — and often seen in 
 the rivers, feeding among crowds of people, bathing and washing, with- 
 
198 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 out any alarm or suspicion. It is often struck down by a trained Shikra 
 (Accip. Dulthuncnsis). 
 
 Irides light yellow; legs and feet light greenish. Length 19 inches ; 
 bill at front 2i, at gape 3-j\ths; tarsus 2 T 3 „th inches. 
 
 308. — E. Caboga.—Ard. Caboga, Pennant. — A. ryficapilla ; Vieill. ? — 
 A. russata, Wagler ? — Dorreali Bvglah, II. — Soorheah Buglah of some. — 
 Cattle Heron. 
 
 This well Known species is generally found in flocks of various >\/x 
 in company with herds of cattle, feeding on grasshoppers, and other insects 
 disturbed by them whilst grazing. It seldom resorts to water like its 
 other congeners, except during the heat of the day. Like the last, it 
 assumes its beautiful golden or ruddy tint on head, neck ami back, only 
 during the breeding season. 
 
 Irides bright yellow ; bill dark yellow ; legs and fe tl kish. Length 
 about 20 inches. 
 
 The specific name is derived from the Hindustani '■ Gao BuglalC, 
 meaning i\nv Heron. 
 
 Sob Genus BOTAURUS, Briss.— Bitterns. 
 
 309. — B. cinnamomeus. — Aid. cinnamomea, Gmel. — L(d Buglah, 11. of 
 some. — Little Chestnut Heron or Bittern. 
 
 I have only found this little species at all common on the wooded 
 regions of the western coast, generally in marshy ground, or in the wet 
 paddy-fields. I have also seen it on the banks of the Pykarra river on 
 the Neilgherrics, and Mr. Elliot mentions it as common in parts of 
 Dharwar. 
 
 Length about 15 inches; bill at front 2, at gape 2 ,',-ihs ; tarsus! 
 
 310. — B. Stellaris, Briss. — Nir Goung, H. — Common Bittern. 
 
 I have not myself hitherto procured a specimen of the Bittern, but 
 know that it lias been killed near Jaulnah and Aurungabad, in marshy 
 ground. It is enumerated, moreover, both in Sykes' Catalogue and by 
 
 Mr. Elliot, and the latter gentleman lias lately shown me a fine specimen 
 shot on the Neilgherries, during the hot season. 
 
 Sub Genus NYCTICORAX, Steph. 
 
 311.— N. Ettropeeus.—A rd. vyetie.orax, L. — Wdkh, II. — Night Heron. 
 The Wdkh is of universal occurrence throughout the Peninsula, 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 199 
 
 but most common in the more wooded regions. It roosts during the 
 day on high trees, often in palm groves, and sallies forth to the waters 
 in the neighbourhood after sunset to feed upon fish, frogs, and o'her 
 aquatic animals. It breeds on palm and other trees, many nests to- 
 gether. Its Hindustani name is derived from its harsh call. 
 
 Irides crimson. Length 21 to 23 inches : tarsus 3 ; bill at gape 4, at 
 front 2 T a - ths. 
 
 Genus PLATALEA, L. 
 
 312. — P. lencorodia, L. — Chumuch Boozah, 11.— White Spoonbill. 
 
 The Spoonbill is tolerably abundant over India, frequenting rivers 
 and tanks, occasionally in numerous flocks, and feeding on various aqua- 
 tic insects, Crustacea, small fish, &c. 
 
 The Hindustani name signifies ' Spoon Ibis.'' and I think from its 
 manner of feeding, its small gape, and its flight, the Spoonbill shews 
 more affinity to the Ibis family than to that of the Herons, with which 
 most authors associate it. 
 
 Genus CICONIA, Briss.— Storks. 
 
 Besides the Mycteria, already separated from the Storks, there ap- 
 pear to be three types (which might be made into as many sub-genera) 
 among the Indian Cicsnice. One is represented by the white Stork, 
 a second by the black Stork, and a third by the carrion eating Storks, 
 or Adjutants. The whiti tork appears to be a link bet' 
 
 the white and black Stork, as well in form as in its habits, being parti y 
 terrestrial, and partly aquatic in its habi 
 
 313. — C. alba, Briss. — Lug-lug or Oojlee, II. also Hajee Lug-lug. — 
 White Stork. 
 
 The white Stork is found, though rarely, throughout India, during the 
 cold weather only, feeding in large flocks on the open dry plains on 
 grasshoppers, beetles, and other land insects, also on Lizards and 
 snakes. 
 
 Irides brown : bill, legs and feet red. 
 
 314. — C. leucocepkcda.—Ard. leucoeephala, Aact.—Cic. umbettata, 
 Wagler. — Kalee, H.—Manukjor, in Hindostan. — White necked Stork. 
 
 This handsome Stork is a permanent resident in India, bi 
 high trees in the more wooded parts of the country. In its habits it 
 
-00 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 partakes somewhat of both the Cie. alba, and Cic. nigra, being, though 
 perhaps most generally found about rivers, streams, marshes and tanks, 
 often seen feeding on the open dry plains, or on bare cultivated ground. 
 It feeds alike on fish, frogs, crabs and other aquatic food, and on grass- 
 hoppers, beetles, and other land insects. 
 
 Irides dark scarlet, surrounded by an external narrow ring of pale 
 yellow ; bill black, dark red at the edges and point; naked skin of the 
 face black ; legs red. Length 30 to 34 inches ; bill at front 6^-7. 
 
 31.5. — C. nigra, Auct. — Soormace, II.— Black Stork. 
 
 This, like the Oojlee is also migratory, being only found in the Penin- 
 sula during the i old season. It is a tare bird, and generally seen solitary 
 near tanks, rivers, and small streams, feeding on fish, frogs, and various 
 aquatic insects, and their larvae. A good Bhijree will strike it down, 
 and it is eagerly sought after for this purpose. 
 
 Orbits naked and red ; bill deep red ; irides brown ; legs brownish red, 
 Length o£ feet; expansion of wings 6 feet; bill at front 7]- inches; 
 tarsus 8|. 
 
 310. — C. Argala, Steph. — Ard. dubia, Gmel. — Cic. Marabou, Temm. 
 — Adjutant of Calcutta 
 
 I have but once seen this enormous bird during the early part of the 
 monsoon in the table land near Jaulnah. but did not obtain it. 
 
 317. — C. nudifrons. — New species ?. — Dusta, II. — Black-mantled Ad- 
 jutant. 
 
 Descr. — Plumage above glossy black ; the greater coverts pale dusky 
 brown, edged with whitish, beneath pure white. Bill, frontal plate, and 
 occiput, dirty greenish ; head, neck and gular bag, reddish pink above, 
 yellowish beneath ; head, neck, and as far as the end of the gular bag, 
 covered with strong scattered hairs, or rather hair-like feathers. Irides 
 light greyish brown or grey; feet blackish; forehead, only, naked and 
 horny. Length 4^-5 feet ; bill at gape 11 J inches, 2 inches broad 
 beneath at the base ; 3 inches high at base ; tarsus 11 ; tibia 15 ; tail 12 ; 
 wing about 30 ; face, throat and lower part of neck with numerous black 
 spots ; gular bag when stretched about 6 or 7 inches long. 
 
 This species is tolerably common in the northern portion of the 
 Dekhan, more especially during the monsoon. It is usually solitary — 
 occasionally in parties of 4 or 5. It descends like the Vultures on any 
 carcasses, or stalks about the plains, sometimes close to cantonments, 
 picking up reptiles, insects, and garbage of any description. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 201 
 
 318.— C. calva.—Nevf species ?—Chinjara, H.— Crab-eating Adjutant. 
 
 Descr. — Above glossy black, with purple and green reflections ; the 
 feathers of the back and coverts obsoletely marked with numerous black 
 bars ; greater coverts dark brown ; tcrtials and scapulars, bottle green, 
 edged with white ; beneath pure white ; bill dirty greenish ; head per- 
 fectly naked and horn v. A thick tuft of hairs on the occiput, and a 
 few scattered hairs on the neck. Has no gular pouch. Length 4i feet ; 
 bill 1U inches ; much more slender than in the last. Breadth at base be- 
 neath 1| ; height at do. 2h ; tail nearly 12 ; tarsus 10 ; wing 25 inches. I 
 found the stomach of one crammed with crabs, and a few large grass- 
 hoppers. 
 
 The under tail coverts of the 3 last species are known under the name 
 of Marabou feathers, and are highly prized, and much sought after. 
 
 Sub Genus MYCTERIA, L. 
 
 319. — M. Australis, Lath. — M. Asiutica, Lath. ? — Bunarus, H. — Large 
 black and white Stork. 
 
 This gigantic looking bird is rare in Southern India, being found singly 
 occasionally in tanks and large rivers. It lives on fish, frogs, and various 
 other aquatic animals. Its length of limb gives it the appearance of 
 being a much larger bird than it really is. The young bird has the neck 
 light brown, and very downy, and the colours much less vivid throughout ; 
 the irides also dark br.own. 
 
 Irides yellow $ bill black ; legs rosy red. Length 4£ feet ; expansion 
 about 7 feet ; bill 13 inches ; tarsus 13i ; weight about 11 lbs. 
 
 Genus ILEMATOPUS, L. 
 
 320. — H. ostralegus, L. — Durya Gujpaori, H. i. e. Sea Longshanks 
 (Himantopus). 
 
 This bird is included in Mr. Elliot's Catalogue, having been found by 
 him on the western coast, towards the more northern part of the Penin- 
 sula, and I have since heard of its having been procured as far to the 
 southward as Mangalore. 
 
 Family TANTALID/E.— Ibis. 
 
 Genus ANASTOMUS.— 111.— Open beak. 
 
 321. — A. typus, Temm. — Ard. Coromandelica and Ard. Ponticeriana, 
 Auct. — Goongloo or Goonglah, H.— Indian Shell Eater. 
 
202 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 This curious bird is tolerably common in those parts of the country 
 where tanks and marshes abound. It lives in flocks of various size or 
 solitary, and feeds on fish, frogs, and various other aquatic animals, but 
 chiefly when procurable, on shell-fish (a species of Unto), the breaking of 
 the shell of which to get at the contents, is the cause of the open space 
 or gape between the mandibles, which does not exist in the young birds. 
 Colonel Sykes I see, however, appears to think that the gape exists origi- 
 nally in the young bird, and that it is a provision of nature to effect the 
 opening of the shells, on which it feeds. From my own observations, how- 
 ever, corroborated moreover by Mr. Elliot's, I am inclined to think that 
 the former is the more correct opinion, viz. that the open space is 
 caused by the constant attrition of the mandibles on the hard testa- 
 ceous covering of the shell-fish. The (jooi.«Ioo frequently perches on 
 trees, and breeds, I am informed, on lofty trees. 
 
 Irides bright yellow ; bill dark greenish ; orbit-; and pouch, naked and 
 black ; legs greenish, with a shade of pink; middle claw, with a sharp edge 
 internally, but not serrated. Length 32 inches ; expansion of wings 1£ 
 feet. 
 
 This bird flies toler.ibly rapidly, and with more quickly repeated strokes 
 of its wings than any of the Heron family, with which it has generally 
 been placed by systematists. 
 
 Genus TANTALUS, L. 
 
 322. — T. leucocephalus, Lath.— T. Indicus, Cuv. — Dukh, H. — Juunghul, 
 in Hindostan.— Pelican Ibis. 
 
 The Pelican Ibis (as it may be named) is common over all India, 
 frequenting rivers, tanks, pools and marshes, generally in parties more 
 or less numerous, and feeding on fish, frogs and aquatic insects, and 
 also according to Sykes, on vegetable matter. It perches freely on trees, 
 and breeds on lofty trees, during the hot weather aud monsoon. Dur- 
 ing the heat of the day, they may be seen standing motionless in the 
 water knee-deep, digesting their morning's meal. They are said to feed 
 a good deal, during the night. The scapulars assume their most beauti- 
 ful rosy tinge, during the hot weather, or breeding season. The Blnjree 
 strikes this bird always on the head, its mandibles being sharp, and in- 
 flicting a severe cut. 
 
 Irides yellowish brown ; bill, naked face and crown, and chin pouch, 
 deep ochre or orange yellow; legs pale dirty pink. Length 3^ feet; 
 expansion of wings about 6 feet ; bill (at gape) sometimes nearly 1 foot. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 203 
 
 Genus IBIS. 
 
 323. - 1. Macei, Cuv. and Wagl. — /. religiosa, of Sykes' Cat.— TanL 
 tnelanocephalus of Lath. --the young bird. — Moonda, H. — Suffeid Boozah 
 of some. — Black-headed Ibis. 
 
 The Indian Black-headed Ibis, is generally supposed to be a different 
 specie'-, from the one found in Egypt, and which was held sacred, and 
 embalmed by the ancient Egyptians. Colonel Sykes, however, asserts 
 their identity. This bird is found in tanks, rivers, marshes, wet paddy- 
 fields &c. in flocks of various size, and feeds on small fish, frogs, crabs, 
 shrimps, and a variety of insects, both water and land, for it is occasion- 
 ally seen feeding on the dry ground, near rivers and tanks It is found 
 at all seasons, and therefore most probably, breeds in this country, though 
 I have not yet seen its nest. Inside the bone of the wings is covered 
 by a bright red skin, as in the Cic. leucocephala. The young bird 
 has the head and neck partly covered with small white feathers, and 
 is therefore, as Wagler imagines, the Tant. melanoeephalus of Latham. 
 
 Irides lake red; bill, naked head and neck, and feet black. Length 
 30 to 34 inches ; bill at gape about 7 ; tarsus 4 ; weight 3£ lbs. 
 
 324— I. papillosa, Temm. P. C. — Boozah, H.— Kala Boozah of some. 
 — Warty-headed Ibis. 
 
 This bin I is of common occurrence throughout India, being found in 
 numerous flocks, feeding on the open plains, chiefly on grasshoppers, 
 beetles, and other land insects, also few even on water insects, frogs, &c. 
 It bleed-* on trees in the neighbourhood of water, sometimes alone, but 
 at times in numerous parties. Colonel Sykes says correctly " Soar 
 high in the air, uttering melancholy screams." It makes a long flight 
 with a Bhyree, and requires a good one to capture it. 
 
 Irides light red ; bill brownish red ; legs dirty brick red ; papilla of 
 the crown and occiput, bright red — naked skin on which they are placed 
 black. Length 25 to 30 ; bill at gape 6 ; tarsus 3 ; weight 3£lb. 
 
 325. — I.falcinellns, Temm. — /. igneus — young bird of the 2d year, ac- 
 cording to Wagler.— Kewaree, H. — Glossy Ibis. 
 
 As I have always shot the so called I igneus in company with the 
 other species, I am induced to agree with those who consider it as the 
 young bird of tlie I. falcinellus 
 
 The Glossy Ibis frequents shallow water at the edge of tanks and 
 rivers — also marshes and wet paddy-fields. It is always found in flocks, 
 
204 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 and feeds on frogs, shell-fish, shrimps and various insects, and their larvae, 
 both aquatic and terrestrial. 
 
 Irides brown ; bill and legs dark olive green ; a whitish skin goes 
 round the. base of the bill, the eyes and the gape. Length varies from 
 22 to 26 inches ; of a full grown male, the bill is nearly 6 inches ; and 
 tarsus A\. 
 
 P*- Family RALLIDiE.— Rails, &c. 
 
 Gencs PARRA, L.— Peeho, II. — Tank-runner. 
 
 326.— P. Indica, Lath.— P. a>nea, Cuv.— P. melancldoris, Vieill.— P. 
 superciliosa, Horsf. — Indian Tank-runner. 
 
 This curious bird is found over most of the Peninsula, in tanks covered 
 with weeds, and water lilies, on the leaves of which it runs with great 
 facility. It feeds chiefly on seeds, and other vegetable matter. 
 
 Bili green at the base, yellowish at the tip ; legs dark green. 
 Length about 1 foot ; bill to posterior end of frontal plate 1£ ; tarsus 
 2 T <Lths ; centre toe and claw 4£ ; hind do. 4. 
 
 327.— P. Sinensis, Gmel., Gould. Cent. Him. Birds. — Golden-necked 
 Tank-runner. 
 
 This handsome species, is perhaps, more generally spread than the 
 last, but not so numerous, except in some few localities. It frequents, 
 like the last, weeded and lily-covered tanks, but is also often to be seen 
 feeding at the edges of rivers and tanks, totally devoid of weeds. Feeds 
 on seeds, also on shells and water bugs. 
 
 Irides deep brown ; bill and legs olive green. Length 22 inches ; 
 tail 1U ; tarsus 2 ; middle toe and claw 3 ; hind do. 2 ; bill at front 1. 
 
 Genvs PORPHYRIO, Briss. 
 
 328. — P. smaragnotus, Temm. — Gall, poliscepkala, Lath. — Keima, H. 
 —Sultana Coot or Purple Coot. 
 
 This handsome bird is tolerably common on most of the weedy and 
 grassy tanks, throughout the country, especially when covered with the 
 lotus, walking easily on the leaves, and feeding chiefly on seeds and 
 vegetable matters. 
 
 Irides blood red ; bill and frontal plate, cherry red ; legs pale brick 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 205 
 
 red ; wing spur also reddish. Length 1 8 inches ; bill at gape 1| ; tarsus 
 3^ ; middle toe and claw nearly 5 ; hind do. 2\. 
 
 Genus FULIOA, L.— Coot. 
 
 329.— F. atra, L.—Dasree or Dasuniee, H.— Bald Coot. 
 
 The Common Coot of Europe is a common and abundant bird on most 
 of the Indian tanks, even on those that dry up during the hot months. 
 Lives chiefly on vegetable matters. 
 
 Irides blood red ; bill aud frontal plate white ; legs green reddish at 
 the sides ; feet leaden coloured. Length nearly 18 inches. 
 
 Genus RALLUS, L.—Bail. 
 
 330. — R. Gidaris, Horsf. ? — R. candescens, Lath.? — Blue-throated 
 Rail. 
 
 The species of Rail, of which I give a description below, is found in 
 reeds and long grass, by the sides of tanks, rivers and water-courses. I 
 have only seen it in Travancore and Cochin, but it is also enumerated 
 in Mr. Elliot's Catalogue, as found in Dharwar. 
 
 Descr. — Crown, top of the head and nape, deep chestnut, diverging 
 into two streaks on the back of neck ; chin white ; cheeks, sides of neck, 
 throat and breast, light leaden ; back, beneath, and wings dark brownish, 
 with a strong olive gloss, and numerous narrow white transverse bars, 
 most numerous on the abdomen and thighs. 
 
 Bill sanguineous at the base, and diaphanous, brownish at the tip ; 
 legs brown, with a reddish tinge. Length about 11 inches ; wing ^f ; 
 tarsus 1 T \ ; bill at front 1 T S . 
 
 031.— R. rvfescens, Vieill. ? — R. Philippcnsis.?—R. striatus. ?—R. 
 Ceylonieus. ? — Larger brown rail. 
 
 \ procured a single specimen of a Rail near Cochin, which I cannot 
 refer exactly to any described species, but which appears to approach 
 some of the species named above. I add a brief description : bead 
 deep brown ; above olive brown ; the feather edged with pale yellowish 
 rufous ; cheeks and sides of neck fawn ; chin and throat white ; beneath 
 pale fawn, with numerous transverse dark marks ; middle of abdomen 
 white ; shoulder with a tinge of cinereous and edged white. Length 
 14 inches ; wing 7 ; tarsus 1\ ; tail 3 ; bill at the front, including frontal 
 plate 1£. 
 
206 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 Genus GALLINULA. 
 
 332.— G. akool, Sykes. — Indian Water Hen. 
 
 This common bird is found chiefly in reeds and lonj grass, by the sides 
 ot tanks, rivers, and water- courses, and is flushed with difficulty. 
 
 I have seen specimens exactly like those described by Sykes, others 
 in which the chin was entirely black, — and others in which there was 
 much white, extending down the middle of the abdomen. Th^se were 
 all from different localities, but most probably, were only different ages 
 of the same bird. There may, however, be several varieties, or it may 
 be distinct species. Length nearly 1 foot ; bill at gape 1 inch ; tarsus 
 J T 7 o ; middle toe and claw nearly 3 ; hind do. l T 2 g-. 
 
 333. — G. Jacuhica, I lorsf., most probably the same as the G. phceni- 
 cura, — Daivuk, 11. — White-cheeked GaUinnle. 
 
 This handsome bird is by no means uncommon in many parts of the 
 country, though seldom seen in some districts. It frequents bushes in 
 the neighbourhood of water or marshy spots — also gardens and hedges in 
 dry ground. Found both solitary, and in parties of 5 and 6. Feeds 
 upon insects of various kinds, both land and water. 
 
 hi les red ; bill green, whitish at the tip ; legs greenish yellow ; dusky 
 behind. Length 12 inches ; bill at gape 1 J ; tarsus 2 r - ?r ths ; middle toe 
 and claw 2\ ; hind do. l T * ths. 
 
 Family SCOLOPACID.E. — Snipes and Sand-pipers. 
 
 Genls SCOLOPAX, L. 
 Srn Genus lUIYNCILEA.— Cuv. 
 
 3M.— R.picta, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc— R. capensis, Auct. — Painted 
 Snipe of Europeans in India. 
 
 The Painted Snipe is a permanent resident in India, being found at all 
 seasons in suitable ground, viz. the grassy edges of tanks, marshes, inun- 
 dated paddy-fields, and the usual haunts of the common snipes. It, 
 however, appears in much greater numbers at the commencement of the 
 cold season, along with the other snipes, so probably the greater num- 
 ber breed towards the more northern part of India. This has, probably, 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 207 
 
 led Colonel Sykes and others to consider it as migratory. I have, how- 
 ever, seen it throughout the hot weather and monsoon in two succes- 
 sive years, and find the same fact stated by Mr. Elliot. 
 
 Irides dark brown ; bill dusky reddish ; legs green. Length about 
 inches ; bill 2 ; tarsus 1-j-^ths. 
 
 Sub Genus SCOLOPAX. 
 
 335. — S. rusticola ? — S. minor f—S. saturata, Horsf. ? — Neilgherry 
 Woodcock. 
 
 I find it impossible from the meagre descriptions of authors, to as- 
 certain whether this bird is identical with the European bird or not, 
 or whether, as some have supposed, it may be the American species, 
 from its sm Her size. It appears to correspond in plumage pretty close- 
 ly with the European bird, but from the examination of a good num- 
 ber of fresh specimens, it seems to be a considerably lighter bird. It 
 arrives on the hills about November ; a stray bird or two being some- 
 times killed in October, and leaves in March. 
 
 Length 15 to 16 inches ; wing 8j ; bill at front 3 to 3 T 2 ^-ths ; tarsus 
 l-j-^ths ; tail 3| ; average weight about 9 or 9£ oz. ; varies from 7 to 
 11 oz. 
 
 336. — S. nemoricola, Hodgson, Jouru. Asia. Soc. No. 66. — Solitary 
 Snipe of the Neilgherries. 
 
 This bird differs considerably from the solitary snipe of Europe (S. 
 major, L.). It is a rare visitant to the Neilgherries during the cold sea- 
 son, and has not, as far as I am aware, been killed elsewhere in the 
 Peninsula. It frequents the marshy ground at the foot of the dense 
 woods of the hills. I obtained a specimen from J. Scott, Esq. of the M, 
 C. S. which is about 13 inches long, the bill being 2 T fi -ths. 
 
 337.— .& gallinago, L. — Blmruk or Buruk, IL— Common Snipe. 
 
 The Snipe is found in great numbers all over the Peninsula during the 
 cold season, frequenting grass by the sides of tanks, and streams, marsh- 
 es, but more especially the inundated paddy-fields. 
 
 338.— S. gallinula, h.—Jack Snipe. 
 
 The Little Jack Snipe is tolerably abundant along with the last in some 
 parts of the country, especially towards the more northern part of 
 the Peninsula. 
 
208 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 Sub Genus LIMOSA, Briss. and Swains. — Godicit. 
 
 339. — L. leucoph&a ? f. — New species ? — Chaha, H. — Large Godicit. 
 
 This bird, which, in absence of more precise information, I have 
 referred to the European Godwit, though strongly suspecting it to be 
 distinct, is a rare visitant to the Peninsula, during the cold weather, 
 and frequents the shallow water at the edge of large tanks. I add a 
 brief description. 
 
 Above ashen grey, darkest on the back and rump ; beneath white, 
 ashy on the neck, breast and sides ; upper tail coverts white, black tipt ; 
 tail white at the base, the rest black, with a narrow black tip. Length 
 20-21 inches; bill 5 ; tarsus 4 ; wing 9 ; tail 3^; bill reddish white, dusky 
 at the tip ; legs and feet greenish black. 
 
 340. — L. melanura?.— Chota Chaha, H. — Lesser Goduit. 
 
 1 have only seen this species on two or three occasions, at the edges of 
 tanks, on the northern part of the table land. As I am by no means 
 certain, that it is the same as the European bird, I also add a descrip- 
 tion of this one. Plumage above brown ; the feathers edged with fawn ; 
 head, neck and breast, pale ashy brown ; throat white ; tail black, white 
 at the base ; tail coverts as in the last. Length of one specimen 17 
 inches ; bill 3 T 4 oths ; tarsus 2£ ; wing 8 ; tail 2|. 
 
 341. — L. terek, Horsf. — S. terek, Lath. — Limicola Indiana, Vieill. 
 
 I have only seen this curious bird on one occasion at the edge cf the 
 Trichoor lake. Length nearly 9 inches ; bill 1 T 8 7 ; wing 5 ; tail 2 ; tar- 
 sus 1-,'^ths; bill blackish, green at the base; legs orange. 
 
 Sub Genus TRINGA, L. Swains. 
 
 342.— T. Hardwickii.—Limosa Hardwickii, Gray and Hardw. 111. Ind. 
 ZotA.— Gehu-ala, H.— Large brown Sand-piper. 
 
 I can find no description of this handsomely plumaged Sand-piper in 
 any of the works I possess. It appears, however, to be the same as the 
 species figured in Gray and Hardwicke. It is one of the first that make 
 their appearance here, at the commencement of the cold weather. I 
 have seen them in the middle of September, and as late as the end of 
 March. It frequents the edges of large tanks in numerous flocks. I 
 add here a brief description. Plumage above brown, of various shades 
 of intensity, each of the feathers edged with pale brown, or whitish, or in 
 some with rufous fawn ; head and neck paler ; face, throat, and plumage 
 beneath white, ashy on the neck and breast In those specimens killed 
 
210 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 I have only seen this curious bird at the edge of a large tank at the 
 extreme north of the Peninsula, but I have seen stuffed specimens killed 
 as far south as Madras. 
 
 Irides red brown ; bill black ; legs French grey. Length 13 inches ; 
 bill 3 T \; tarsus 31. 
 
 Sub Genes HIMANT OTYS.-Longshanks. 
 
 348.— H. melanoplerus, Auct. — Guj-paong, H. — Common Lo7igshanks 
 or Stilts. 
 
 Very common all over Indi;i, during the told weather, not leaving till 
 April, frequents rivers, tanks and marshes in numerous flocks. A few 
 couple probably remain here the whole season, as 1 have seen them as 
 late as June, in pairs on the banks of wooded streams and reedy tanks. 
 
 Sub Genus TOTANUS, Sw.— Sand-piper. 
 
 349. — T. glottoides, Vigors, Gould's Century of Himalayan Birds. — 
 Timtimma or Toomtomma, H. — Indian Greenshanks. 
 
 Found solitary all over India in rivers, brooks and tanks. Is a wary 
 bird, rising with a very shrill and loud cry— hence its Indian name. 
 
 Irides dark brown ; bill greenish black; legs pale olive. Length 14 ; 
 bill 2 T 9 yths ; wing 7 ; tarsus 2£ ; middle toe l-^ths. 
 
 350. — T. Horsjieldii. — Limosa Horsjieldii, Sykes. — Chota Timtimma 
 H. — Lesser Greenshanks. 
 
 This, like the last, is in general found solitary, but much more rare. 
 I have, however, seen it in very large flocks at the Trichoor lake. 
 
 Irides dark brown; bill blackish ; legs pale olive green. Length 10 
 inches or \0h ; wing 5£ ; tail 2£ ; tarsus 2 T 3 -ths ; bill to front l T y hs ; 
 weight 3 ounces. 
 
 351. — T. fuscus? — Bntan, H. — Large red-legged Sand-piper. 
 
 "Whether this is the species to which I have temporarily referred it 
 or not, can only be determined by actual comparison. I have found 
 this bird very rarely in the Peninsula of India, and only towards the 
 more northern portion of it, by the side of rivers or tanks, and solitary. 
 Specimens killed towards the end of the cold season in April, had as- 
 sumed the dark summer plumage. 
 
1840.] of ihc Peninsula of India, 211 
 
 Irides dark brown ; bill brown, red at the base beneath ; legs orange 
 red. Length 1-1 inches; wing 6i ; tail 2i ; bill 2^\ths ; tarsus 2 T 3 ^-ths. 
 
 352. — T.calidris, Auct. ? — Chota Butan, H. — Redshanks. 
 
 As the bird I am now speaking of, is about the same length, and 
 answers nearly to the description of the European Redshanks, I have 
 for the present referred it to that bird. I have only obtained a single 
 specimen of this Sand-piper, shot at the edge of a tank in the northern 
 part of the table land. 
 
 Irides dark brown; bill brown; legs orange red. Length 10J-11 
 inches ; wing 6 ; tail 2 T -Lths ; bill l T V ns i tarsus l T 9 ^ths. 
 
 S53.— T. glareola, L. 
 
 Found in small parties, or sometimes solitary at the edges of tanks, 
 rivers, brooks and pools of water, common every where. Length 9 
 inches. 
 
 354.-7'. Ochropus. 
 
 Almost always found solitary, occasionally in parties of 3 or 4, in the 
 same localities as the last, and still more common. 
 Length 10 inches. 
 
 355. — Hypoleucos. 
 
 Found solitary in similar situations with the 2 last species, but not 
 nearly so common. 
 
 Length 8 to 8| inches ; wing 4£ ; tail 2- I 2 - 5 .ths ; tarsus 1 ; bill nearly 
 1 ; bill brown, greenish at base beneath ; tarsus pale green. 
 
 Genus STREPSILAS, 111.— Turnstone. 
 
 356. — S. interpres, Auct. — Common Turnstone. 
 
 I obtained a pair of these prettily marked birds at the tank of Jaul- 
 nah, 200 miles inland, in the month of April, and have since seen speci- 
 mens procured as far to the southward as Madras. 
 
 Irides dark brown ; bill black ; legs orange. Length 9 inches ; wing 
 G ; tail 2£ ; tarsus nearly 1 inch ; bill at front ^ths. 
 
 Genus NUMENIUS, Briss.— Curlew. 
 
 357. — N. arquata. — Goungh, H. — Curlew. 
 
 I obtained a single specimen of the Curlew at the edge of a tank, near 
 
212 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 Jaulnah. It is enumerated also in Mr. Elliot's Catalogue as found in 
 Dharwar. 
 
 358. N. phatopus.— Clwta Govngh, H.— The WhimbreL 
 
 I saw the Whimbrel in considerable numbers at the Chilka lake, and 
 have also seen it on the sea coast, near Madras, and in \arious other 
 places. Mr. Elliot says, ' Found everywhere along the sea- shore, and 
 mouths of large rivers.' 
 
 Family CHARADRIADiE.— Plovers. 
 
 Genus CHARADRIUS, L. 
 
 359. — C. pluvialis, L.— Golden Plover. 
 
 The Golden Plover is but rarely met with in the Peninsula. I have 
 only seen it on two or three occasions on the banks of large rivers on 
 the table land, and on grass plains, near the sea co<ust — usually in small 
 flocks of 5 or 6. I have seen specimens killed in the neighbourhood of 
 Madras, in the breeding plumage viz. with the whole under surface of 
 the body deep black. It therefore, most probably, breeds in this country. 
 
 360. — C. Philippensis, Lath. ? — Zirreah, H. of some. — Common ringed 
 Plover. 
 
 This pretty little bird is found not only at the sides of rivers, and tanks, 
 but also, and perhaps more generally, in the open dry plains, in flocks of 
 various size, running rapidly along the ground, and picking up various 
 small insects. I have found it all over the Peninsula. 
 
 Irides deep brown ; bill black ; legs yellowish ; orbits bright yellow. 
 Length 7| ; wing 4| ; tail 2j ; bill at front A inch ; tarsus nearly I. 
 
 361 .— C. minor, \\ag\. ? — C. hiaticidoides,Fr&nk\?. — Lesser ringedPlover 
 
 This species differs but little from the last. It is smaller- has the 
 upper plumage of a darker shade, the quills also much darker, the tertials 
 less lengthened, the lateral tail feather have more white, and the base 
 of the lower mandible is yellow. 
 
 I have only found it at the northern part of the table land, at the edge 
 of rivers. 
 
 Irides deep brown ; bill black, yellow at the base beneath ; l^gs yel- 
 low ; orbits deep yellow. Length hardly 6£ ; wing 4 ; tail 2 ; bill to 
 front T 4 T ; tarsus T Vths. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 213 
 
 362. — C. cantianus. ?— C. ruficapillus, Temm. ?— New species.? 
 
 I have found this plover at the edge of rivers and tanks, at the 
 northern part of the table land, and also more lately by the side 
 of salt-water inlets, and the sea shore on the east coast, during the hot 
 eeason in June. 
 
 As I am uncertain of its being the European species indicated, I shall 
 give a brief description. 
 
 Forehead, eyebrows, face and beneath, pure white ; a narrow line from 
 the gape, passing through the eyes and ears, cinereous; a narrow blackish 
 band behind the white forehead ; crown of head and nape ferrugineous ; 
 plumage above cinereous ; external tail feathers pure white ; no naked skin 
 round eyes ; bill black ; legs greenish yellow. 
 
 Length 7 inches ; wing 4 T \ ; tail 1 T \ ; bill at front T \ ; tarsus rather 
 more than 1 inch. 
 
 363. — C. russatus. — New species. ? 
 
 Descr. Forehead, streak on either side, extending through the eyes, 
 ears, and meeting behind, and a broad pectoral band deep brownish 
 black; top of the head, back and wing coverts of the usual brown cine- 
 reous hue of the Ringed Plovers ; band above the eyes, encircling the 
 head, except in front, and plumage beneath white ; wing coverts edged 
 with white ; quills and medial tail feathers, dark brown ; external tail 
 feathers white, with a brown band which almost disappears on the outer- 
 most feather ; scapulars deep marroon colour ; upper tail coverts, tinged 
 with rufous ; bill yellow with black tip ; orbits bright yellow ; legs orange 
 yellow. 
 
 Length 6| inches ; wing 4£ ; tail 2 T \ ; bill at front nearly y^ths ; tar- 
 sus rather more than 1 inch. 
 
 I procured a single specimen of this apparently new species of Ring- 
 ed Plover at the edge of the Pulicat lake near Madras, in the month of 
 June. Its distinguishing feature is the marroon colour of the scapulars. 
 Whether this is a permanent mark, or, as I conjecture may be the case, 
 only assumed during the breeding season, I am at present unable to 
 determine. 
 
 Genus VANELLUS.— Lapwing. 
 
 364. — V. bilobus. — Charadrius bilobus, Gmel. and Wagler. — Zirdee, 
 H. — Yellow wattled Lapwing. 
 
214 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 This Plover is found throughout India, usually frequenting the dry 
 stony plains, or open sandy downs in small flocks, and feeding on various 
 insects. Has a feeble cry, which Colonel Sykes renders as " Deewit 
 I) evrit." I found the eggs of this bird on one occasion on a grass plain, 
 on the west coast, in the month of September. They were of a light 
 salmon colour with dusky spots, 4 in number, and laid on a slight depres- 
 sion of the ground. 
 
 Irides silvery grey ; bill black, yellow at the base ; naked skin yellow ; 
 legs do. Length nearly 12 inches ; wing 8| ; tail 3 r \ ; tarsus 2 T 4 ^ ; 
 bill to front 1 inch. 
 
 365. — V. Gocnsis. — Tringa Goensis, Lath. — Char, atrogularis, Wag- 
 ler. — Teteehree (vulgo Teetooree), H. — Bed wattled Lapwing. 
 
 This well known bird is common throughout most of India, single 
 occasionally, but usually in small parties. It frequents the land in the 
 neighbourhood of water, feeding on various insects, chiefly water ones, 
 shells, &c. It has a loud shrill cry, something like ' Did he do it,' or 
 as others say ' Pity to do it.' This call is much heard at night, even in 
 places where none were seen during the day. It is often very annoying 
 to sportsmen, hovering over him, and uttering its shrill cries for some 
 distance. 
 
 The Teteehree is said by the natives to sleep with its legs upwards, 
 and the Indian proverb ' Teteehree ,se asman thama jaega,' or can the 
 Teteehree support the Heavens ? is applied to a person who undertakes 
 something far above his strength. 
 
 Irides red ; bill at the base and fleshy skin, lake red ; tip of bill black ; 
 legs yellow. Length nearly 13 inches. 
 
 366. — V. ventralis. — Charad. ventralis, Gray and Ilardw., 111. Ind. 
 Zool. — C. coronatus, VieilL ? 
 
 I obtained a single specimen of a bird which appears to be the young 
 or female of the one figured in Gray and Hardwicke, at the edge of a 
 large tank near Jaulnah. It answers the description too (with the ex- 
 ception of the black spot on the abdomen) of Waglers C. ventralis, but 
 that bird is described among the 3-toed Charadrii. My bird has a 
 hinder toe, though a very small one. 
 
 This bird is evidently a link joining the Vanelli to the CEdicnemi, its 
 bill being larger and more robust than that of most Vanelli. 
 
 Irides dark brown ; bill and legs black. Length 13 inches ; wing 8£ ; 
 tail 3§ ; tarsus 2-?-$ ; bill to front l T ^ths. 
 
216 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 hides dark brown ; bill black ; gape dark red ; legs black. Length 
 7 1 inches ; wing beyond tail l/^ths ; from base 6 ; bill at front T Vhs; 
 tarsus -Vhs. 
 
 370.— G. torqvafa, Temm. — Fork-tailed Swallow Plover. 
 
 I have seen this bird but very rarely in small flocks, or pairs, by the 
 edges of tanks or rivers, feeding chiefly like the last, on various aquatic in- 
 sects and larva?, especially on Nepa>. On one occasion, I saw a numerous 
 flock of them flying low over some grain fields, apparently capturing 
 insects on the wing. Its flight is remarkably swift, and swallow-like, as is 
 that of the last species. 
 
 Irides dark brown ; bill and legs black ; the posterior portion of the 
 gape red. Length 11 inches, of which the tail is 4^ ; wing 1\ ; bill at 
 front I inch ; at gape nearly 1 inch ; tarsus 1 —ths. 
 
 Sub Genus TACHYDROMUS, 111.— Cursovius, Lath.— Courier 
 Plover. 
 
 371. — T. Asiaticus. — Char. Coromandelicus, L. — Nookree, H. — Indian 
 Courier / lover. 
 
 The Courier is very numerous towards the more northern part of the 
 hind, much less so towards the south. It frequents the open bare 
 - only, in numerous flocks, running along with great celerity, and 
 picking up various insects, beetles and small grasshoppers and their 
 larvae. It breeds in the more retired spot during the hot weather, lay- 
 in;: 3 eggs of a pale greenish yellow colour, much blotched, and spotted 
 with black, and also with a few olive spots. They are deposited in a 
 slight hollow. 
 
 Irides deep brown ; bill black ; legs creamy white, as if coated with 
 paint. Length varies from 8£ to nearly 10 inches ; wing 6; tail 
 2 ,\ ; bill at front T \ ; tarsus 2 T |. As I have frequently killed birds of 
 us length from the same flock, I fancy that Swainson's supposed 
 new species T. Orientalis, said to differ only in size from the T .Asiati* 
 cus of authors, must be abandoned. 
 
 Sub Genus AMMOPTILA, Sw. 
 
 372. — A. charadroides, Sw. ? — Sand Plover. 
 
 A bird of this remarkable genus is mentioned in Mr. Elliot's Catalogue, 
 but without any description, so I am uncertain if it is the same species as 
 
1840 of the Peninsula of India. 
 
 217 
 
 the one indicated by Swainson, in his Synopsis. Mr. E. mentions his 
 having found it in flocks on the sea-shore, on the west coast of India. 
 Bill black ; legs and feet plumbeous. Length 15 inches. 
 
 Ord. NATATORES.— Swimmers. 
 
 Family ANATIDiE.— Ducks. 
 
 Sub Family PILENICOPTINiE,— Sw. 
 
 Genus PH^ENICOPTERUS.— L. 
 
 373.-P . Europaus.-P. ruber, L.-Bug Huns, K.-Rajah Huns 
 of some.— Flamingo. 
 
 The Flamingo is found throughout the Peninsula, in large rivers and 
 tanks, though not a very common bird. I saw it in the greatest abund- 
 ance in the large Chilka lake, on the low flat islands of which 1 have 
 seen many hundreds congregated together. It feeds on vegetable matter, 
 and minute water insects, &c. and much gravel is in general found in its 
 stomach. It is tamed, and kept at Hydrabad by some of the nobles of 
 that city, and fed on grain of various kinds. I think Swainson is per- 
 feetly justified in placing this bird among the ducks, from its external 
 structure alone, and I see that its internal anatomy fully confirms this 
 view. In fact the natives of India recognize its alliance with this fami- 
 ly, by calling it Heron Goose or King Goose. 
 
 Bill pink, black at the tip ; legs pale rose coloured ; hides pale golden 
 yellow. Length 3± to 4 feet. 
 
 374.— P. minor.— Lesser Flamingo. 
 
 I have seen a flock of this bird at the Jaulnah tank, last cold season, 
 and am informed by Shikarees, that it pays an annual visit here, about 
 Christmas. 
 
 Sub Family ANSERINJE. 
 Gehus ANSER, Antiq. 
 
 JZ1Z2**' Latb -' GouM Cem - ni "" **-*»• or iw- 
 
218 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 This Goose is not so common in Southern India, as it appears to be in 
 Bengal, and the more northern Provinces. I have seen it in p;iirs in 
 August, within a few miles of Cape Comorin, and once or twice in flocks 
 of 15 or 20 in large tanks, on the central table land. 
 
 Genus DENDROCYGNA, Sw.— Tree Ducks. 
 
 376.— D. Awsuree.—Mareca Awsuree, Sykes' Cat.— Anas arcuata, 
 Horsf. J&v&.—Sillee, H. — Whistling Teal of Europeans. 
 
 As my specimens agree exactly with the description of Sykes, of his 
 M. Awsuree, and also the description in Mr. Elliot's Catalogue, I think 
 it may be considered distinct from the Javanese bird. It is found in 
 numerous flocks, in various pirts of the country, most abundant, perhaps, 
 in the wooded districts, frequenting tanks, and often seen perched on 
 the boughs of trees that overhang the water. I have not seen its breed- 
 ing pla 
 
 Length about 18 inches ; bill to front 1A ; tarsus 1 T 6 - ; centre toe and 
 claw J., 1 ; wing 8 ; tail 2 A ; bill and legs plumbeous ; irides brown ; eye- 
 lids, bright yellow. It is not esteemed good eating. 
 
 377. — D. major. — New species ? — Large Whistling Teal. 
 
 I am strongly inclined to consider this as a distinct species from the 
 last. It differs in its larger size, in the whole head, neck and under 
 parts, being rufous or chestnut, and not so dark in the belly as the former 
 bird. The upper tail coverts are yellowish white, instead of deep chest- 
 nut. There is a blackish line down the back of the neck from the nape. 
 The tip of the head is deep chestnut instead of brown, and there is a 
 broad patch round the centre of the neck, in which the feathers are 
 somewhat hackled or lanceolate, whitish at the tip, and blackish at the 
 base. The feathers of the loins are highly elongated, chestnut on one 
 side of the shaft, and creamy white on the other side, broadly edged 
 with dusky. 
 
 Length 20-21 inches; wing 9^ ; tail 2 .{ inches ; tarsus 2 ; bill at front 
 1 T 8 ths ; centre toe and claw 3£. 
 
 :;7S.— D. ? girra.—Anas girra, Gray and Hardw., 111. Ind. Zool.— A. 
 Coromandelica.—Geerfah, H.— Cotton Teal of Europeans in India. 
 
 This pretty little bird is not very common in Southern India, and 
 like the last, abounds most in the more wooded districts, and it is said 
 to breed in some of the forests of the western coast. It has a peculiar 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 219 
 
 changing note, not unlike that of the Grouse, which it generally keeps up 
 whilst flying. It is found both in pairs and flocks — sexes alike. 
 
 Irides bright crimson ; bill black ; legs greenish ochrey yellow, blackish 
 in some. Length 13 inches ; weight 9 ounces. 
 
 This bird, by its bill, appears to approach the Dendronessce of Swain- 
 son. 
 
 378. bis.— D. affinis.— New species ?—Girree, II. 
 
 This species or variety, is mentioned in Mr. Elliot's notes as differing 
 from the last in the permanent want of the collar in both sexes and at 
 all ages. 
 
 Length nearly 14 inches. 
 
 Genus PLECTROPTERUS, Leach. 
 
 379. — PL melanotos, Steph. — Anas Melanotos, Gmel. — Nbofttahjl. also 
 of the Mahrattahs. — Bronze-backed Goose — Comb-Duck, (Sykes) of the 
 Residents in the Madras Presidency. 
 
 This splendid bird is found all over India, in tanks and rivers, though 
 not very abundant. It breeds during the monsoon in most of the wood- 
 ed districts, and as I am informed, in long grass, near rivers or tanks. The 
 female is much less than the male, and wants the large protuberance at 
 the base of the bill. It feeds on various seeds an>i vegetable matters — ■ 
 also on paddy, jowaree, and other grains. The flesh is hard, and not held 
 in much esteem. Length of male 34 inches ; wing 16 ; tarsus 3 ; bill 
 straight to gape 2\ : height of protuberance above 2 inches, from the 
 edge of the mandible, length of do. at the centre nearly 2. Female from 
 26 to 28 inches long. 
 
 Irides dark brown ; bill and protuberance black ; legs greenish plum- 
 beous j weight nearly 6-lb. 
 
 Sub Family ANATIN.E, Sw.— River Ducks. 
 Genus MARECA, Leach.— Widgeon. 
 
 380. — M. fstidaris, Steph, — Anas Penelope, L. — Common Widgeon. 
 
 Common in the cold weuther throughout India in the rivers and tanks, 
 found in large flocks. 
 Irides dark brown ; bill light plumbeous, black at the tip. 
 
220 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 Genus ANAS, L. 
 
 Sub Genus CHAULIODUS, Sw. 
 
 381.— C. strepera, Sw.—Anas strepera, L.— The Gadwall 
 
 Not so numerous as the last, but by no means rare— only found in the 
 cold season. 
 
 Trides brown ; bill blackish, reddish at the sides and lower mandible ; 
 legs and feet ochrey yellow. 
 
 Sub Genus ANAS. 
 
 382. — A. clypeata, L. — Tredaree, H. — Shoveler. 
 Common over all India, in flocks during the cold weather. 
 Irides yellow ; bill black; legs orange ; bill of female brown, reddish 
 beneath. 
 
 Si-b Genus BOSCHAS, Sw. 
 
 383.-5. circia. — A. circia, L. — Garganey Teal, 
 
 Common throughout the cold weather, being one of the first to arrive 
 in the country, sometimes before the end of September. 
 Irides brown ; bill black ; legs greenish plumbeous. 
 
 384. — B. crecca, Sw. — A. crecca, L.— Common Teal. 
 Common along with the last. 
 
 Sub Genus DAFILA, Leach. 
 
 385. — D. caudacuta. 
 
 Tolerably abundant towards the more northern parts of the Peninsula, 
 rare in the south, found in large flocks. 
 
 Bill plumbeous, with a black line down the centre, also at edges ; 
 legs plumbeous. 
 
 Irides dark brown. 
 
 Genus TADOMA, Leach. 
 
 386.— T. rutila, Steph.— A. easarca, L.—Soorkhab, H.~ also Chukiva, 
 '—Ruddy Shiddrake.—Brahminy Duck of Europeans. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 2'il 
 
 This large duck is, like the last one, less common towards the south, 
 than in the more northern parts of the Peninsula. Is frequently seen in 
 pairs, or small parties of 4, 5 or (>, but occasionally, as in the Chilka lake, 
 in numerous flocks of some hundreds. Only found, as far as I can learn, 
 in the Peninsula, during the cold weather. Colonel Sykes, however, ap- 
 pears to think that they are resident in India, throughout the whole 
 year. Found much on rivers. Mr. Elliot in his notes says " Found in 
 pairs, often several pairs together, shy, uttering a peculiar deep note 
 which has a strong resemblance to deeply intonated d-oung." The 
 Hindoos consider them the models of conjugal tenderness. The flesh 
 is held in no esteem in this country. 
 
 Irides dark brown ; bill and legs black. 
 
 387. — T. ? pcecilorhyncha. — A. pacilorhyncha, Gmel. — Gurm-pace, H. 
 Spotted-billed Duck. — Large Grey Duck. 
 
 This fine duck is most common in the more wooded parts of the 
 country, and is a permanent resident, breeding in retired places and 
 marshy spots, among the jungles, during the hot weather. 
 
 Irides brown ; bill black, yellow at the tip, red at the base ; legs deep 
 red. Length 2 feet to 26 inches ; tarsus 2£ ; weight about 3-lbs. Is 
 excellent eating. I am by no means certain, that it is a true Tadomer, 
 being perhaps a species of Boschas, or Chauliodus ; but the elevation of 
 the bill at the base, has induced me to consider it as a Tadomer. I on 
 one occasion found a couple of small fish in the gizzard of this Duck, be- 
 sides vegetable matter and gravel. 
 
 368. — T.f cayophyllacea. — Pink-headed Duck, Lath. 
 
 Though I have not yet seen this Duck, I venture to include it in my 
 present Catalogue, from the concurrent testimony of several Shikarees, 
 who described it, so as to leave no doubt in my mind of its being the spe- 
 cies named as above. It is said to be an occasional, though very rare 
 visitor to the rivers and tanks of the country, about Jaulnah, during the 
 cold weather only. 
 
 Sub Family FULIGULINiE,-Sw. 
 
 Genus FULIGULA. 
 
 389.— F. rufina, Stephens.— Red- headed Pochard. 
 Not very common in the Peninsula, generally in small parties in the 
 cold weather. 
 
222 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 Irides deep yellow. 
 
 390.— .F. cristata, Steph.— A.fuligula, L.— Tufted Duck. 
 
 Tolerably common throughout the Peninsula, daring the cold weather. 
 It is one of the latest to quit the country, and I have on one occasion 
 found a single one in the month of June, in a tank near Hvdrabad. 
 
 Irides bright yellow ; bill plumbeous; legs blackish. Length 19-20 
 inches. 
 
 391. — F. nyroca. — A. leucophthalmos. — Bechstein. 
 
 Rare in the Peninsula, generally in pairs, or very small parties in tanks. 
 
 Irides greyish white. These 3 last species dive remarkably well. 
 
 Family COLYENBLDJE.— Grebes. 
 Genus PODICEPS, Lath. 
 
 392.— P. Philippensis, Steph.— Choorakah, II. ? — Indian bay-necked 
 Grebe. 
 
 Common in the tanks all over India, even in those which dry up early 
 in the season. Feed on various water insects, &c. 
 
 Irides ochrey yellow. Length 9£ inches. 
 
 392, bis.— P. ?— Lesser Grebe— Pun-doobee, H. ? 
 
 I have hitherto not procured this little species of Dicer, which is men- 
 tioned in Mr. Elliot's Catalogue, though without any description, but I 
 have seen it on several occasions, in grassy tanks, and among weeds. It 
 appears much smaller than the common one. 
 
 Family PELECANID.E. 
 Genus PLOTUS, L.-Darter. 
 
 393.— P. melanogaster, Gmel.—Banwali, H.— Darter or Snake bird. 
 
 Not very uncommon in the Northern Circars, and in other districts 
 where tanks abound. Feeds on fish chiefly, swims and dives with great 
 rapidity, and as Colonel Sykes remarks, has the faculty of being enabled 
 to swim with the whole of its body under water, the long head and neck 
 being alone visible, looking like a snake. 
 
 Length about 3 feet ; tail 9^ ; bill front 3 T 3 ,_ r ths. 
 
1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 223 
 
 Genus CARBO, Mayer and Swains.— Cormorant. 
 
 394.*—C.Javanicus, Horsf. — Phal. AfiicanusH — Joghrahee, II. — vulgo 
 Pun-kuica — i. e. Hater crow. 
 
 Very common in all the tanks and rivers of India. Feeds on fish, and 
 is very voracious. 
 
 Irides crimson ; bill black, reddish at base beneath ; legs black. 
 
 I may state that 1 have specimens, shot in company with many others 
 of the same plumage, which have the wing coverts and scapulars blue 
 grey, margined with black, and in the belly and neck, having much 
 white in their plumage, mixed with dusky blackish. 
 
 Length 23 ; tail b inches ; bill at front 1 T Vth. 
 
 395. — C Cormoranus. — Pelicanus Carbo, L. — Gho-ghur, H. 
 
 This is much more rare than the last. I have only seen it on the 
 wooded Bhowany river, at the toot of the Neilgherries, and once or 
 twice in the northern part of the table land, in large tanks. I have 
 seen it in the month of June, as far inland as Hydrabad, so it most 
 probably remains here the whole year and breeds. Mr. Elliot mentions 
 it in his Catalogue, and I learn from him that it is far from being uncom- 
 mon in parts of the Southern Mahratta Country, and that it may some- 
 times be seen in considerable numbers, sitting on trees in the neigh- 
 bourhood of tanks. 
 
 Length 2 feet 10 inches ; bill at front 2{ ; weight 4.h lbs. 
 
 Gbnus PELICANUS, L. 
 
 396. — P. onocrotalus, L. — Ilaicaseel, H. — The Pelican. 
 The Pelican is tolerably common in many of the tanks all over the 
 country, even very far inland, occasionally perches on lofty trees. 
 
 Sun Family LAHIDiE.— Gulls and Terns. 
 Genus STERNA, Swains. 
 Sub Genus STERNA, L.— Sea Swallow, or Tern.—Kaghuzee, H. 
 
 .'597. — S. melanogaster, Temm. — S. acuticauda, Gray and Hardw., 
 Ind. Zool. 
 
 This Tern 1 have found all over the country, frequenting tanks, and 
 more especially rivers. 
 
224 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 
 
 398.— S. similis, Gray and Hardwicke, 111. Ind. Zool. 
 
 Found in the same localities as the last, and still more common and 
 numerous. 
 
 Length 1 1 i inches ; wing 9\ ; tail 3 T yh ; bill at front 1 T '^th : tar- 
 sus T °^th ; bill dark lake colour ; feet and legs black. 
 
 399. — S. Seena, Sjkes. 
 
 Spread throughout all the Peninsula, but less common than the last. 
 Bill bright yellow; legs red. Length 17 inches; wing 11 ; tail Sj ; 
 bill at front 1£. 
 
 400.— S. anglica, Montagu. — Marsh Tern. 
 
 ( mon all over the country. 
 
 Length about 16 inches ; but it varies a good deal in size : of one 16 
 inches long, the wing is 13£, 2£ inches beyond the tail, which from base 
 is nearly 6 ; bill and tarsus black. 
 
 401. — S. minuia, L. 
 
 I have seen this pretty little Tern most abundant in the west coast, at 
 the mouths of rivers, but have also met it above 200 miles inland. 
 
 Length nearly 9 inches ; wing 6i ; half an inch beyond the tail, which is 
 nearly 3 ; bill at front 1 T «- ; yellow, dusky at the tip ; legs orange ; tarsus 
 iVns. 
 
 402. — S. . — New species ? 
 
 Descr. Head and back of neck sub-crested deep glossy black, plumage 
 above light grc\ ; beneath white; tail much forked ; lateral feathers 
 white ; bill yellow ; legs black. 
 
 J ength \lh ; wings 12^ ; 1 inch beyond tail ; tail G\ ; bill (at front) 2 
 
 : tarsus 1 inch. 
 I have only found this very elegant species on the sea coast, on the 
 west of India, at the mouths of rivers. 
 
 403.— £. .—New species ? 
 
 Back, wings and tail pale grey ; rest of body white, except a blackish 
 grey streak through the eye ; head and neck with a tinge of grey. 
 
 Length 14A inches ; wing ll ; tail 4 ; bill at front 1 T ^th ; tarsus 1\ 
 bill black, within orange red ; legs and feet dusky sienna reddish. 
 
j 84o.] °f the Peninsula of India. 225 
 
 This species appears tolerably common on the east coast of the 
 Peninsula, near Madras. 
 
 404. — S. . — New species. 
 
 Descr. — Head and nape blackish ; feathers edged with white ; body 
 above grey, beneath white ; bill deep lake red ; legs sienna. 
 Length 11 inches ; wing 8£ ; tail 3 ; bill at front I inch. 
 
 Genus THALASSITES, Swains. 
 
 405. — T. . — New species ? 
 
 Descr.— Head and upper part of the neck glossy black, above light 
 grey ; beneath, and tail white ; bill orange red ; legs black. 
 
 Length 21 inches; wing 16, reaching 8 inches beyond the tail, which 
 is 5£ ; bill at front 2 T %-th ; tarsus 1 T Vh. 
 
 I have found this large Tern most abundant on the west coast of 
 India, at the mouths of rivers, but also far inland, frequenting tanks. 
 The young bird differs in the head being spotted white and black, in- 
 stead of being pure black. 
 
 Genus LARUS, L.— Gull. 
 
 406.— L. brunnicephalus ? . — New species?. — Brown-headed Gull. 
 
 Descr. — Hood pale ashy brown, terminated by a darker edge; mantle 
 and wings light grey ; the rest of the body pure white ; bill and legs 
 deep lake red ; a half circle of white feathers round the back part of the eye. 
 
 Length 19 inches ; wing 14 ; tail nearly 6 ; bill at front 1 \ ; tarsus 2. 
 
 I have found this Gull common on the west coast of India, and also 
 inland above 200 miles, frequenting rivers and tanks. A Gull which 
 corresponds exactly in size with this one, and which I have usually seen 
 in company with it is probably the young bird. It differs in wanting 
 the brown hood, and in the tail being broadly tipped with black. 
 
 407. — L. . — New species ? 
 
 I possess only a young specimen of this Gull in the usual mottled plu- 
 mage, so shall content myself with giving its measurements. It was shot 
 200 miles inland. 
 
 Length 2 feet ; wing 18 inches ; tail 8 ; bill (front) 1 -j^th ; tarsus 2 
 T %-th ; bill and legs yellowish. 
 
226 Catalogue of the Birds of the Peninsula of India. [Oct. 
 
 I have 6een other species of Gull on the sea coast, but not having 
 procured specimens, refrain from noticing them at present. 
 
 I have now brought to a conclusion this imperfect Catalogue, the chief 
 object of which has been an enumeration of all the birds found in 
 Southern India ; the few brief notes 1 have added having been hastily 
 drawn up, without method, to relieve the monotony of a bare list of names. 
 I purpose iu a future, and T hope, an early number, to add a supplement, 
 containng the description of a few additional species J have obtained 
 since the first parts of the Catalogue were printed — and also to correct 
 several errors of nomenclature, and to add some brief additional notes 
 OB the habits and geographical distribution of a few of the species, which 
 more recent and extended observations have enabled me to offer. 
 
 The specimens on which my Catalogue was founded, are now on their 
 way home to a distinguished Ornithologist, and as soon as they are ex- 
 amined, and identified by him, I will in another supplement give the re- 
 sult of his examination, and a synopsis of all the species with their cor- 
 rect names and synonymes. By way of rendering this part more gene- 
 rally useful, I may probably also add a synopsis of the different genera 
 found in India, and a br ef description of all the species, so that it may 
 serve as a text book for the Peninsular birds, and supply to the ornitho- 
 logist in this country, the want of the numerous bulky and ill-compiled 
 works of reference, which often perplex as much as they inform. 
 
 I trust also to be able to add to this, through the kindness of Walter 
 Elliot, Esq., a list of the names of many of the birds in several of the 
 native languages, and in the native characters, by which collectors may 
 be much facilitated occasionally, Loth in the acquisition and identification 
 of various species. At a future period, I hope that my observations on 
 the habits and manners of many of the Indian birds may be so far extend- 
 ed as to enable me to publish a much more full and enlarged account 
 than I am now able to attempt, and illustrated by coloured figures of 
 many of the unfigured species. To enable me, however, to effect this, 
 I look confidently for the assistance and co-operation of other observers, 
 without which it will be impossible to present any thing like a tolerably 
 complete history of Indian Ornithology; for, from the nature of a tropical 
 climate precluding much or constant exercise on the open air, and the 
 necessary occupations of most of the residents here, no one individual 
 can ever expect to give from his own observations a faithful transcript of 
 the habits and manners of even a limited number of the birds ; and it is 
 only from a series of detached observations, and from many individuals 
 co-operating together, that such a much wished for result can be obtained. 
 
1840.] On Low Steam Power to Vessels, instead of Sails. 227 
 
 With this view, I earnestly solicit any of the readers of this Catalogue, 
 (who may have the opportunity and inclination), to forward me 
 any observations they may make, and let them not deem the small- 
 est scrap of information too trifling to send. I would more parti- 
 cularly request further intelligence regarding the nidification of the 
 Indian birds, of which so little is known, their various notes, food, and 
 manner of feeding, times of appearance aud disappearance of migra- 
 tory species, names in any of the native languages, and any tales, 
 proverbs or superstitious ideas the natives may have concerning them. 
 There are also a few desiderata which I shall here enumerate, aud any 
 individuals who may have it in their power to give any information 
 regarding them, will receive my best thanks. 
 
 No 6. — Specimen of the large Fishing Eagle of the Chilka lake, which 
 I suspect may be the Hal. ichthy&tus, No. 8 of the Cat. 
 
 No. 34. — Specimen and descriptions of the Besra. 
 
 Specimen and description of the Kandesruh of Indian Falconry, a 
 species of Sparrow-haiok, I suspect, nearly allied to the Besra. 
 
 Specimen or description of the Gorhesrah which I suspect is the 
 same as my No. 36, a species of Goshawk, differing in its smaller size 
 from the Baz or true Goshawk. 
 
 No. 268. bis. — Whether the Ortygis Taigoor, of Sykes, is a distinct 
 species, or the young bird of the O. pugnax. 
 
 No. 282. — Any information regarding the Black Florikin, its time of 
 appearance in different districts, at what season it is seen in a state of 
 chauge, &c. &c. &c. 
 
 II. — On the General Application of Low Steam Power to all Vessels, 
 instead of Sails. 
 It is very surprising that though so much has been done in applying 
 Steam Power to move vessels at high speeds for the conveyance of pas- 
 sengers, it does not appear that as yet, any considerable trials have been 
 made of it, for the conveyance of merchandize at moderate rates. The 
 quantity of fuel and power of engine requisite to propel a ship at high 
 speeds is so'great, that for a voyage of any considerable length, the ves- 
 sel is almost taken up with them, leaving so little room for merchandize 
 that it will not answer, except principally employed in the transport of 
 passengers. But this is no reason that it should not answer to use 
 
228 On Low Steam Power to Vessels, instead of Sails. [Oct. 
 
 steam for the transport of merchandize at low rates, and the subject is 
 well worthy of investigation. The question is, whether merchandize 
 can be transported at the rate it is at present conveyed by sailing vessels, 
 cheaper or safer by steam ; or whether it can be conveyed at the same 
 cost as in sailing vessels, but quicker by steam. 
 
 It seems strange to conclude, that, because it will not answer to use 
 steam for the common purposes of commerce at high speeds, therefore 
 it will not be advisable to use it at moderate rates. On land, horses 
 are used at high speeds for passengers, and at low rates for goods, and 
 on examination it may be found to be just the same with Steam Power 
 at sea. The two cases are in effect precisely similar ; in moving land 
 conveyances the resistance at higher speeds does not increase, but animal 
 power rapidly diminishes, which is the cause of the rapid increase of 
 cost. In steam vessels, there is indeed no less of power at higher speeds, 
 but the resistance to a vessel moving through the water rapidly increases, 
 and hence the effect is the same as in land conveyance ; viz. a rapid in- 
 crease of expeuce. In the one case, there is no increase of resistance, 
 but a decrease of power as the speed increases ; in the other there is no 
 decrease of power, but there is an increase of resistance. Hence upon 
 the first glance at the subject, it would appear probable that as it is found 
 to answer on shore to use horses for passengers at high speeds and for 
 goods at low ones, so it may be found in the case of steam afloat. 
 
 The best way of attempting to arrive at a sound conclusion in this 
 case, is, to compare the actual cost of the two modes from the data we 
 have, and then to consider what further important po ; nts there are in 
 the matter, which it is not so easy to make subjects of calculation. 
 
 But it may be well first to consider the leading principles, which 
 affect the motion of vessels through water. It is well ascertained that 
 up to about 8 knots, an hour, the resistance of water to vessels increases 
 more rapidly than in the proportion of the square of the velocity ; 
 that is, with a double velocity resistance is more than four times 
 as great, with a trehle velocity more than 9 times as great and 
 so on. Hence to move a vessel a certain distance, it takes 
 more than four times as much fuel and more than four times the 
 power of engine to do it at a double speed, and more than 9 times as 
 much fuel and steam power, to do it at three times the rate. This 
 appears to hold good up to a certain speed, about 8 knots an hour, after 
 that the resistance does not increase quite so rapidly, but still in rather 
 a greater proportion than the velocity. Hence if a vessel can carry suf- 
 ficient fuel to go 4000 miles at the rate of ten knots she can carry 
 enough to go about 12,000 at 5 knots, and more than 50,000 miles at 2£ 
 knots. But further, as in going at the double speed the engine must 
 
1844.]//*: a paper read before the British Association 1845. 1 1 5 
 
 servations, appears to have been 2902+30 025 (an index correction which 
 Dr. Puist gives as that of the barometer with which the observations 
 were made) =29-048 English inches. The height above the sea is thirty- 
 five feet, and the latitude 19 ° N. 
 
 The mean height of the barometer in the year 1843, derived from ob- 
 servations at every second hour, appears to have been 29-803 ; the ele- 
 vation being thirty-five feet above the sea. This is less than what is ge- 
 nerally received as the average height of the barometer in the same lati- 
 tude. From the careful comparison described in Dr. Buist's report as 
 having been made of the standard barometer with several other barome- 
 ters, there seems great reason to believe that the mean height shewn by 
 it must be a near approximation to the true mean atmospheric pressure 
 in the year 1843 at Bombay. 
 
 The mean height of the barometer in the four clouded months of May, 
 June, July, and August, is 29667 ; and in the four clear months of No- 
 vember, December, January, and February, 29-921. The mean vapour- 
 pressure in the same seasons is respectively 0904 and 0-622, and the gase- 
 ous pressure consequently 28-760 and 29-298. There is, therefore, a dif- 
 ference of 0-535 of gaseous pressure in these two seasons, and there is al- 
 so a mean difference of temperature of 5.84° degrees. The lowest pres- 
 sure corresponds to the highest temperature, and vice versa: if we may 
 allow ourselves to make a rough proportion drawn in a single case, we 
 may estimate a decrement of 0-1 inch of pressure to an increment of 1 Fah- 
 ren-heit. The highest temperature and lowest pressure is accompanied 
 for nearly the whole of its period by the S. W. monsoon, or a wind blowing 
 from the sea. The lowest temperature and the highest pressure is ac- 
 companied by the N. E. monsoon, or a wind from the land. The differ- 
 ence of the gaseous pressure in the two seasons is partially marked in 
 the barometer by an opposite difference in the tension of the vapour, so 
 that the barometric difference between the two seasons, though still dis- 
 tinctly manifest, is less than the difference of gaseous pressure. 
 
 The analogy of the annual and diurnal variations, considered in respect 
 to the explanation which has been attempted of the latter, is too obvious 
 to be dwelt upon. The decreased gaseous pressure in the hot season is 
 occasioned by the rarefaction of the air over the land whilst the sun is in 
 the northern signs, and its consequent overflow in the higher regions, pro- 
 ducing a return-current in the lower strata ; and the increased pressure 
 in the cold season is occasioned by the cooling and condensation of the 
 air whilst the sun is on the south side of the equinoctial, and its con- 
 sequent reception of the overflow in the upper strata from'the regions 
 
116 Second Supplement to the Catalogue of [No. 31 
 
 which are then more powerfully warmed, and which is but partially coun- 
 teracted by the opposite current in the lower strata. 
 
 In concluding this communication, I beg respectfully to submit to the 
 consideration of the eminent meteorologists here present, that it is very 
 important towards the progress of this science, that the propriety (in such 
 discussions as the present) of separating the effect of the two elastic forces 
 which unite in forming the barometric pressure should be either admitted 
 or rejected. The very remarkable fact recently brought to our notice by 
 Sir James Ross, as one of the results of his memorable voyage, that the 
 mean height of the barometer is nearly an inch less in the latitude of 
 75° S. than in the tropics, presses the consideration of this point upon our 
 notice; for it is either explained by the diminution of the vapour consti- 
 tuent in the higher latitudes, which diminution appears very nearly to 
 correspond to the decrease of barometric pressure observed by Sir James 
 Ross, or it is a fact unexplained, and I believe hitherto unattempted to 
 be explained, on any other hypothesis, of so startling a character as to 
 call for immediate attention. 
 
 Second Supplement to the Catalogue of the Birds of 
 
 Southern India, by T. C. Jerdon, Esq. 
 
 Madras Medical Establishment. 
 
 A considerable addition to the Ornithological Fauna of 
 Southern India, and a few important corrections form the 
 present article. Those species which are introduced here 
 for the first time as inhabitants of the Peninsula, are marked 
 with an asterisk. 
 
 * No. 1. bis — Vidtur Indicus, Scopoli and Latham — not of 
 Sykes', nor of Jerdon's Catalogue— V. tenuirostris, Hodgson. 
 
 This large species has been hitherto overlooked by me. 
 Mr. Blyth appears to think that V. Indicus Temm. is a 
 synonym of V.f ulcus, to which he now refers my V. Indicus, 
 and that V. Imperialis T. is a synonym of the present bird. 
 From the dimensions however assigned to V. Imperialis, viz. 
 40 inches (French measure) I am inclined to believe that 
 Temminck's Indicus refers to the same bird as that of Scopoli 
 
1844.] the Birds of Southern India. 117 
 
 and Latham, and that Imperialis is either a synonym off ulcus, 
 or a new species to which Sykes' and my bird must be referred. 
 
 Cat. No. 6. — Pandion lineatus is the young state of Hali- 
 cctus Alacei. 
 
 Cat. No. 9. — Aquila chrysaetos turns oat to be A. imperia- 
 lis — identified as such by Sir W. Jardine, to whom I sent a 
 specimen. 
 
 No. 10. Cat. — A. bifasciata — a distinct species abounding 
 towards Arracan, and the N. E. portion of Bengal. 
 
 No. 11. Cat. — A. Vindhiana — Sometime ago I suggested 
 the probability that this was the European A. nosvia, and 
 Mr. Blyth has ascertained that it is so. 
 
 No. 12. Cat. — Nisaelus nweus — This is not the niceus, but 
 the N.grandis of Hodgson, now considered to be identical with 
 Aquila Bonelli of Europe. 
 
 12 ter, Sup. Cat. — The Neilgherry Black Eagle was describ- 
 ed by Hodgson in the Journal of Asiatic Society as A. per- 
 nigra, and when I described it I had not then access to the 
 volume containing this account. Some time afterwards I 
 sent specimens to the Asiatic Society of Calcutta under the 
 generic name Iclinaetus, intending to have given its character 
 at an early opportunity. Mr. Hodgson however had a"-ain 
 forestalled me, having sent a paper to the Asiatic Society 
 in which he proposed the name of Heteropus. But as 
 this name has been previously (twice indeed) employed in 
 Zoology, perhaps Mr. Hodgson will adopt the name here 
 suggested. Mr. Gray in his list of Raptores in the British 
 Museum makes this fine eagle synonymous with Falco Mala- 
 iensis, Reinwardt, Aquila Malay ana, Cuvier. 
 
 * 15 bis— Baza lophotes, Falco lophotes, T. Baza Syama, 
 Hodgs., Lophotes Indicus, Lesson and Swainson 
 
118 Second Supplement to the Catalogue of [No. 31 
 
 I shot a single specimen of this curious bird in a grove at 
 Davroypilly in the Nellore district, near the range of Eastern 
 ghauts. It is rather an unexpected addition to the Fauna of 
 Southern India, though not very uncommon in Bengal. 
 
 No. 16. Cat. — The common Kite of India is now supposed 
 to be the European Milvus ater. 
 
 Cat. No. 20. — This small eagle is now considered to be 
 the European Aquila Pennata. 
 
 No. 20. bis. — Suppl. Cat. — My Spizaetus punctalus is con- 
 sidered by Mr. Blyth to be the young of S. hastatus, Lesson , 
 and is an aberrant species of Aquila. 
 
 No. 21. ter. — Suppl. Cat. — This is, as I suspected, the Buteo 
 albidus of French authors, and I have identified it as the 
 young state of Hcemalornis undulatus of Vigors. 
 
 No. 23. Cat. — Common Indian Harrier. This is the Circus 
 Sicainsonii of A. Smith, found both in Africa, and the East 
 of Europe, as well as in India. 
 
 No. 29. Cat. — My Falco Shaheen has been previously named, 
 it appears, by Sundevall, a Swedish Naturalist, as Falco pere- 
 grinator—Y. Aldrovandi T. is a very distinct, much smaller, 
 species. 
 
 * No. 30. bis. — Falco respertinus. — I shot a single speci- 
 men of the Red-legged Falcon of Europe on the Neilgherries 
 in January, 1840, and have seen another killed at Nellore. 
 Mr. Blyth has also obtained it at Calcutta, and it is not very 
 uncommon on the Himalayas. 
 
 No. 32. Cat. — The prior name for the Shikra is Accipiter 
 badius. — It is also F. Dussumierii T. 
 
 No. 34. Cat. — Accipiter besra. — The bird described at No. 
 35 is an adult Besra —it is most probably the A. Dussumierii 
 
184-1] the Birds of Southern India, 119 
 
 of Sykes' Cat. — Mr. Strickland writes me that he considers 
 it to be the young state of A. virgatus of Temminck, but I 
 am convinced that this is a mistake. 
 
 No. 88. Cat. — Sirix longimembris is probably the S. Can- 
 dida, of Tickeli. 
 
 No. 40. Cat. — Is the Noctua hirsuta, Tern., and Nhwx nepa- 
 lensis of Hodgson. 
 
 * No. 41. bis. — Urrua cinerea Blyth — perhaps Scops 
 coromandus of the older authors. I have procured speci- 
 mens of this fine owl near Nellore. 
 
 No. 42. bis — Sup. Cat. — Bulacamonticola— This is the B. 
 newarensis of Hodgson. 
 
 No. 43. Cat. — Scops Javanicus. 
 
 From information received by me lately from Mr. Blyth it 
 appears probable that the Scops Owl of Malabar and the West 
 Coast may yet prove distinct from the Malayan S. lempigi, 
 though it is certainly very closely allied. Should it prove so, 
 I would propose the name of malabaricus. 
 
 * 43 bis— Scops pennata— Hodgson. The first specimen 
 I saw of this pretty little owl was one found dead close to a 
 house I then occupied in Madras. Mr. Ward afterwards 
 sent me a specimen from the West Coast, and I have since 
 obtained it from the forests of the Eastern Ghauts. It varies 
 remarkably in its plumage, one state being so extremely 
 similar to the Scops sunia of Hodgson, that I at one time 
 considered it identical. Mr. Blyth however informs me that 
 he considers them distinct. 
 
 Dimensions. — Length about 7| inches, wing 5W, Tail 2i\, 
 Tarsus l'uths. 
 
 * 43 ter — Scops griseus — new species ? S. letlia, Hodgson, 
 var. 
 
120 Second Supplement to the Catalogue of [No. 31 
 
 I have procured several specimens of a rather large Scops 
 Owl from the forests of the Eastern Ghauts, which very closely 
 resembles that named lettia by Hodgson, but which is smaller 
 and differs otherwise according to Mr. Blyth. I add a brief 
 description. General tone of plumage, light cinereous grey, 
 more or less tinted in parts with fulvous, and mottled, mar- 
 bled, and streaked with various shades of brown — under plu- 
 mage very light — the feathers centred dark — feathers of the 
 tarsus creamy white. The Malabar Scops Owl, which nearly 
 approaches it in size, differs in the prevalence of a strong 
 rufous tinge, more especially in the plumage beneath. I have 
 now seen many specimens from the Eastern Ghauts, none of 
 which have any tendency to that marked rufous hue. 
 
 Length 10 inches, wing about 6, Tail 3. 
 
 No. 46. Cat. — The Noctua cucidoides of my Catalogue is 
 quite distinct from the Himalayan bird, and is the Noctua 
 radio t a (Tickcll,) N. perlineata, Hodgson. 
 
 * No. 46. bis — N. spadicea (T), S. castanoptera, Horsf. 
 
 The Southern provinces of India and Ceylon appear to 
 possess a distinct species which from its prevalent rufous hue 
 appears to be the species mentioned above. I have procured 
 it from Travancore and the southern provinces of Malabar, 
 and Mr. Blyth has seen specimens from Ceylon. 
 
 *No. 51. bis. — Lanius cristalus L., after Edw. pi. 54. — 
 L. melanotis Val. — L.ferrugiceps, Hodgson. I had over- 
 looked this Shrike as the young of L. Hardicickii, but Mr. 
 Blyth pointed out to me that it was quite distinct, and iden- 
 tified it as above. Common throughout the peninsula, fre- 
 quenting low jungle, gardens, and hedgerows. It is also 
 L. phcenicurus, Pallas-apud Latham. — L. superciliosus. var. 
 A., Lath. 
 
 No. 54. — The common Indian Swallow Shrike is the 
 Ocypterus rujiventer of authors. 
 
1844.] the Birds of Southern India. 121 
 
 No, 55. — It appears that the common King Crow of India 
 will stand as Dicrurus macrocercus, Vieillot. — It is also D. 
 Indicus Stephens, and D. albirictus Hodgson, &c. 
 
 No. 57. — If the name Macrocercus be rightly applied as 
 above, then my bird will require a new name, and Lord 
 Arthur Hay has, in a Monograph of the Dicruridce, given it 
 the title of longicaudatus. 
 
 *No. 59. bis. — I have lately procured several specimens of 
 a racket-tailed Drongo from the jungles of the Eastern Ghauts, 
 which appear to differ decidedly from the Malabar bird. As 
 Lord Arthur Hay has been engaged in examining this family 
 1 gave specimens to him, and he distinguishes this species by 
 the name of Edolius dentirostris. 
 
 *No. 59. ter. — Edolius orissce. — Specimens of the racket- 
 tailed Drongo, procured by Lord Arthur Hay from the jun- 
 gles of Goomsoor, appear also to differ specifically from the 
 other known species, and that gentleman has applied the 
 above name to this one. 
 
 For ample details respecting the differences of these and 
 the other species, vide the Monograph of this family by 
 Lord Arthur Hay, in the present* number of this Journal. 
 
 *No. 58. bis. — Dicrurus criniger (T.), Corvus holtentotus L., 
 — Ed. Chrishna, Gould. Chibia casta, Hodgson. Criniger 
 splendidus, Tickell. Hair-crested Drongo. 
 
 Captain "Roberts of the 36th M. N. I. obtained this hand- 
 some species in Coorg many years ago, a fact which he com- 
 municated to the then Editor of this Journal, some time after 
 the publication of my Catalogue. Lieut. Blake of the same 
 Eegiment also informed me that he had shot it in that lo- 
 cality. I have quite recently obtained a specimen from the 
 Eastern Ghauts. It must however be very rare in Southern 
 
 * Tho departure of thi* gentleman for Calcutta ha« delayed the appearance of this 
 article, 
 
 16 
 
122 Second Supplement to the Catalogue of [No. 31 
 
 India, as I have never seen a specimen among the numerous 
 collections from the West Coast which I have examined. It 
 appears to be not uncommon about Calcutta. 
 
 No. 60. — Ceblepyris pa/juensis — It appears doubtful if this 
 be the true pjajmensis — if not, it is perhaps the Graucahis 
 Macei of Lesson. 
 
 No. 61. — My bird turning out to be distinct from Cehlepy- 
 ris fimbriates, will stand as C. Sykesii, Strickland. 
 
 *No. 61. bis. — The Cehlepyris melaschistos (Hodgson), 
 Lanius silens Tickell, has been obtained from Goomsoor.* 
 
 *No. 65. bis. — Phanicornis roseus. Museicapa rosea V. 
 Phcenic. rubritinctus , Blyth. I had overlooked this bird as the 
 young of P. fiammeus, till Mr. Blyth pointed out its peculi- 
 arities. It is found in the forests of the West Coast, though 
 but sparingly, and appears more common about Calcutta. 
 
 *Xo. 69. bis. — Braehypus xantholcemus — new species — 
 Yellow throated Bulbul— Konda Poda pigli Tel— i. e. Hill 
 bush Bulbul. 
 
 I have recently obtained specimens of this well marked 
 species of Braehypus (hodie Pycnonotus) from the denser 
 portions of the forests of the Eastern Ghauts, to which it at 
 present appears confined, as I have not seen specimens from 
 any other part of the country. Description — Head, face and 
 neck, yellowish green, chin and throat pure yellow — up] er 
 plumage gray with a slight tinge of green here and there, 
 most marked on the upper tail coverts; wings dusky, edged 
 with yellow green, which gives that tinge to the whole wing 
 when closed — Tail dusky, the feathers edged with yellow 
 green, and except the centre ones tipped with white — breast 
 gray, paling to whitish on the lower part of the abdomen : un- 
 der tail coverts pure yellow. Bill and legs black — length 
 
 * Rinro writing the above, Mr. Blyth informs me that Mr. Strickland considers this 
 >>ird to be the true V. fimbriattu of Terjnminck, 
 
1844.] the Birds of Southern India. 123 
 
 about 8 inches— wing 3£ — tail 8a —bill at front r — tarsus ,- ths 
 — Irides said to be red — (I have not as yet seen fresh speci- 
 mens myself.) 
 
 No. 69.— It is possible that this bird may be the Br achy- 
 pus gularis of Gould, P. Z. S. 18-35, from Travancore, as it 
 agrees with the description except as to the throat, the color 
 of which however may have been accidentally omitted, as the 
 specific name is derived therefrom. 
 
 No. 71. — This must be the Chloropsis malabaricus auct, 
 the true aurifrons not being found in the peninsula. 
 
 No. 72. — Mr. Blyth considering that the specimens I had 
 sent him of this Chloropsis did not agree exactly with the 
 description of Cochinsinensis, proposed the specific name of 
 Jerdoni. Mr. Strickland however appears to think that I 
 had rightly identified it. On a minute examination of the 
 descriptions in Latham, and other authors, I am by no means 
 certified of the correctness of this application, and as notwith- 
 standing the labours of Sir W. Jardine and other naturalists, 
 considerable confusion appears to exist among the species of 
 the interesting group, I shall here add the result of my in- 
 vestigations. 
 
 1, Chloropsis aurifrons — C. malabaricus, apud Jard, and 
 Selby — s. pi. 5, 111. Orn., afterwards corrected in Synopsis of 
 species in the 2d vol. s. pi. 100 — Hurruwa Bee Eater, Lath, 
 but not var. A., which appears to be the next species — 
 Phyllornis aurifrons T. P. C. 484. 1 — not C. aurifrons apud 
 Jerdon, Catal. Not found in Southern India. 
 
 2. Chi. malabaricus (Lath)— yellow fronted Thrush — do. 
 No. 50— Hurruioa Bee Eater, var. A., not malabaricus of 
 Jardine and Selby, Synopsis, nor of Blyth J. A. S., nor of 
 
 Eyton P. Z. S. — C. aurifrons apud Jerdon, Cat. No. 71 
 
 C. casmarhi/nchos (misprint for gampsorhynchos) apud Tic- 
 kell and Blyth J. A. S. 
 
1844.] the Birth of Southern India. 125 
 
 cochinsinensis of Latham, the Verdin cle la cochinchine of 
 Buffon, and that Mr. Blyth's name will stand good. It is 
 dispersed over all the southern part of India, but I have as 
 yet seen no specimens from any of the Malay countries, nor 
 has Mr. Blyth procured it elsewhere. 
 
 4. C. Cochinsinensis [Lath.] Jardine and Selby, and other?, 
 C. Malabaricus apud Blyth, J. A. S., and Eyton, P. Z. S. — 
 Phyllornis Malabaricus Teram. P. C. — C. mystacalis Sw. ?? 
 I have not seen this except it be identical with Swainson's 
 C. mystacalis, a specimen of each sex of which, from Lord 
 Arthur Hay's collection, is now before me. The male of 
 mystacalis has however no trace of the azure patch at the bend 
 of the wing, nor of any blue on the wings and tail, nor is the 
 head yellowish. The female however corresponds with Mr. 
 Blyth's description of his female Malabaricus. Nevertheless 
 I shall consider them for the present distinct, till I have had 
 an opportunity of examining other specimens. Hab. Malay 
 countries. 
 
 5. C. Sonneratii, Phyll. JUullerii T., Chi. Zosterops. Jard. 
 and Selby is fern. Tardus viridis Horsf. C. gampsorhynchos 
 J. and S., young male. Mr. Blyth says, I know not on what 
 authority, inhabits Southern India, and the Malay countries. 
 I have never seen it nor heard of its having been found in 
 Southern India. 
 
 6. C. Hardwickii J. and S., C. curvirostris Sw., C. chryso- 
 gasler., M. and H., C. auriventris, Delessert — C. cyanopterus, 
 Hodgs. Hab. Nepal, Assam, &c. 
 
 I was at one time inclined to think that the figure in the 
 P. E. 643.3 was taken from an immature male «f this species. 
 
 7. C. mystacalis, Sw., if distinct from No. 4.* 
 
 » li is distinct, but is identified by Mr. Blyth with the next spi 
 
126 Second Supplement lo the Catalogue of [No. 31 
 
 8. C. cyanopogon T., if distinct from the last. The chief 
 difference is that the btack is described as occupying only the 
 chin, whilst in mystacalis it occupies both chin and throat. — 
 The Meliphaga Javanica of Horsfield is sometimes given as a 
 synonym of C. cochinsinensis, but I believe of late it has been 
 considered identical with Tardus vir/dis, and both referred to 
 C. Sonneratii. 
 
 No. 13. — It appears that there are 3 species at least of Jora. 
 Our southern species is /. zcylanica, meliccps, Horsf., quite 
 distinct from typhia of Bengal, which again differs from scapu- 
 la) is of Malay ana. 
 
 No. 74. — Pycnonotus jlavirictus Strickl. It appears that 
 this cannot be the virescens of Tcmminck, and some time 
 ago I told Mr. Blyth that I intended giving this bird the 
 specific appellation of dumeticolus, a name at once expressive 
 of its habits, and a translation of its Teloogoo name, which 
 signifies BusJi Bulbul, but in the mean time Mr. Strickland 
 had met with it in London, and given it the excellent name 
 mentioned above. 
 
 No. 75. Cat. — Mr. Strickland considering this bird distinct 
 from the Tardus indicus of older authors, has named it Criniger 
 (the modern name for Trichophorus) ictericus. 
 
 No. 76. Cat.— The common Bulbul of the South of India 
 is the muscicapa liccmorrhousa of the old authors, which 
 specific name will accordingly hold good. — It is very distinct 
 from the B. cafer of Bengal, and Mr. Blyth on comparing 
 them first called this species pusillus. — That gentleman has 
 informed me of the present bird being found in Arracan, 
 which shows a truly remarkable geographical distribution. 
 
 No. 78.— Mr. Blyth refers this bird to his new genus 
 Alcipp(\ vide J. A. S. 
 
1844.] the Birds of Southern India. 127 
 
 No. SO. — Pitta brachyura — This bird will now stand as P. 
 superciliaris , Wagler. 
 
 * No. 83. bis. — Tardus nigropileus La-fresnaye — This bird 
 is nearly allied to, though quite distinct from, the Neilgherry 
 black-bird — I have found it, though very rare, and only an 
 occasional visitant, to various parts of the country, but it 
 appears most abundant in the Malabar forest. I have ob- 
 tained it myself both at Jalnah, and at Nellore, in gardens, and 
 found it feeding on a species of helix. 
 
 Length— 9 \— W 5— T 3A Tars— 1A —bill (front) Aths. 
 
 No. 85. — This species of Thrush is now considered to be 
 the Turdus tvhitei, but Mr. Strickland has identified it as the 
 T. duania of Latham, which name will accordingly hold good. 
 
 * No. 84. bis. — Turdus Wardii — Jerdon, Illust. Ind. Ornith. 
 pi. viii. 
 
 Since my account of this peculiarly marked Thrush in my 
 Illustrations of Indian Ornithology, I have met with it at 
 Nellore. Lord Arthur Hay also obtained a specimen at the 
 foot of the Neilgherries. Mr. Blyth informs me that Mr. 
 Hodgson had also sent it to the Calcutta museum under the 
 MSS. name of T. micropus. — I think it is probably the 
 Darunga Thrush of Latham, No. o'.i- 
 
 No. 86. — This species is now generally considered to be 
 the Pellorneum rujiceps of Swainson. Mr. Blyth considers 
 it to be identical with the Cinclidia punctata of Gould, and 
 the Hemipteron nepalcnsc of Hodgson. Mr. Strickland has 
 also identified it with Sykes' Megalurus rujiceps. 
 
 No. 91. — In my Illustrations of Indian Ornithology, I have 
 separated the species found in the Malabar forests from Col. 
 Sykes' Somervillei, under the name of Malabaricus. 
 
128 Second Supplement to the Catalogue of [Xo. 31 
 
 * No. 91. bis — Malacocircus or ic?italis , new species. In the 
 same place I have pointed out what I consider to be a new 
 species from the jungles of the Eastern Coast of India, and 
 given it the above name. 
 
 * No. 91. ter. — Should Sykes' species T. Somervillei really 
 prove distinct from my Malaharicus , it will form another 
 addition to my catalogue. 
 
 * No. 92. bis. — Malacocircus ajfinis, new species. 
 
 The peculiarities of this species and its distinction front the 
 common 31. griseus of the Carnatic I have also pointed out in 
 my article on 31. griseus, pi. xix. of my Illustrations. It is 
 from Travan core. 
 
 No. 97. — Oriolus hundoo Sykes. 
 
 No. 99. — I have named and figured the peninsular repre- 
 sentative of 0. chinensis in my Illustrations, pi. xv., with the 
 title of 0. Indicus. 
 
 No. 106. — Mr. Blyth identifies Sykes' Saxicola rubeculoides , 
 as the 31uscicapa leucura of Latham and Swainson. 
 
 No. 113. — This bird has been identified by Blyth as the 
 Turdus arimdinaccus of Linnaeus, the Sylvia turdoides of 
 Temminck, and it belongs to the genus Acrocephalus. 
 
 No. 88. bis — Suppl. Cat. — The doubtfully cited 31e gal ur us, 
 to which I gave the specific name of striatus, was obtained 
 by Mr. Blyth at Calcutta, who rightly referred it to its proper 
 genus Dasyomis, and called it locustelloidcs. The name Sjj/ie- 
 nura taking priority of Dasyornis, the bird will now stand as 
 Sj)Iie?iura striata. 
 
 No. 96. bis. — Suppl. — An allied species which I named in 
 the first Supplement to my Catalogue, Thimalia plaiyura, 
 
1844.] the Birds of Southern India. 129 
 
 was at first referred by Mr. Blyth to the same group as the 
 last, but he has since proposed for it a new genus, Schcenicola- 
 
 *No. 113 bis. — Phragamaticola olicacea, Blyth, new species. 
 
 I procured at Nellore among some high reeds a species so 
 similar in size and colouring to Acrocephalus arundinaceus, 
 that without further examination I referred it to that species, 
 and it was only on looking over my specimens of that bird, that 
 I recognised its peculiarities. I forwarded it to Mr. Blyth, 
 being myself doubtful where to locate it, and that gentleman 
 has made of it a new genus to which he has given the above 
 name, and will shortly fully describe its peculiarities. It is 
 somewhat allied to Sphenura, especially in its habits, but 
 differs in its wider and more depressed bill, and varies in other 
 points. Its plumage, as I have before mentioned, is almost 
 identical with that of the European Reed Thrush. 
 
 Length 1\ to 8 inches, W. 3, T. SI, Tars. 1|, Bill 
 (front) .fcths. 
 
 No. 95 bis.— Suppl. Cat.— Mr. Blyth first referred my Thi- 
 malia poioicephala to his genus Trichastoma, which has since 
 been identified by Strickland with Malacopteron of Eyton, 
 but he has since, I believe, referred it to his new genus Al- 
 cippe. 
 
 No. 109 bis. — Suppl. Cat. — Phcenicura major. — I am now 
 inclined to class this bird as a Calliope, but Mr. Blyth pro- 
 poses for it a new genus which he will shortly define. 
 
 No. 109 ter. — My Ph&nicura supcrciliaris was previouslv 
 named by Hodgson Larvivora ctjanea. Mr. Blyth agrees 
 with me in considering that it comes under Calliope, and it 
 will now therefore stand as Calliope cyanca. 
 
 No. 115. — Orthotomus lingoo, Sykes', is to be cancelled 
 being only the young of O. Dennettii, as has been ascertain- 
 ed by Strickland from Col. Sykes' own specimens. 
 
 No. 117— Prinia gracilis.— This name has been changed 
 
1844.] the Birds of Southern India. 181 
 
 124 bis. — Sylvia (acrvcephalus) agricola, new species. 
 
 Descr. — Plumage above pale rufous brown — beneath whit- 
 ish tinged with fulvous — Length about 51 inches, W. 2 T ^, 
 T. 2 r %, Tars. T »_, Bill (front) T * T ths. 
 
 I found this species of warbler frequenting rice fields in the 
 neighbourhood of Nellore during the cold weather. Mr. 
 Blyth informs me that he has found it very abundant in reedy 
 ground near Calcutta. It approaches someAvhat the descrip- 
 tions of S. palustris of Europe. 
 
 No. 125. — The Sylvia trochilus of my Catalogue has been 
 named Phylloscopus tristisby Mr. Blyth, who has found it 
 near Calcutta. 
 
 No. 126. — The doubtfully named S. hippolais of my Cata- 
 logue has been named Phylloscopus lugubris by Blyth. 
 
 No. 127.— This is probably the M. affinis of Tickell. 
 
 * No. 125 bis. — Phyllopncusle occipitalis, Blyth, new species. 
 I sent a specimen to Mr. Blyth of a bird obtained by me at 
 Nellore in the cold weather, very like the P. reguloides of 
 that naturalist, but sufficiently distinct for him to characterize 
 it as above. 
 
 * No. 126 bis. — Phylloscopus nitidus — Bl. — probably Mus- 
 cicapa nitida of Latham and Franklin. I have also obtained 
 this bird at Nellore. 
 
 * No. 127 bis. — Phyllopncusle Indica, Blyth, new species. 
 I obtained a specimen of a warbler nearly allied, accord- 
 ing to Mr. Blyth, to the Sylvia hippolais of Temminck, and 
 which that gentleman will shortly describe under the above 
 name. He obtained another specimen from Mr. Hodgson. 
 
 *No. 129 bis. — Parus mtchalis, new species— white naped 
 Titmouse. 
 
 Descr. — A wide nuchal mark, streak from gape, cheeks, 
 ears, sides of neck, of breast and abdomen, two external tail 
 feathers on each side, outer barb of the next, and tip of the 
 ethers, a bar on the primaries, and outer edge and tips of the 
 
132 Second Supplement to the Catalogue of [No. 31 
 
 tertiaries, white — the rest of the body glossy black, except the 
 under tail coverts, which are mixed black and white. Bill 
 and legs black — Length about 5 inches, of wing 2-A, Tail % t 
 Tars. &, Bill (front; T «_ths. 
 
 I obtained this interesting addition to the Fauna of Southern 
 India from the range of Eastern Ghauts. 
 
 No. 133 — Parisoma vireoides. — I have for some time con- 
 sidered this curious bird to be the Fringilla agilis of Tickell, 
 but have only lately procured another specimen to forward 
 to Mr. Blyth, and who has formed of it a new genus, Piprisoma, 
 and allies it to the Dicceum group, to the slender billed, 
 sombre coloured species of which it bears much the same re- 
 lation, that the genus Prio?iochilus of Strickland does to the 
 slender billed, gaudy coloured species of Malaisia. The 
 synonyms of this species are as follows: Piprisoma agilis, 
 Fringilla agilis Tickell, Pipra squalida, Burton — Parisoma 
 vireoides, Jerdon. 
 
 Nos. 135, 136, and 136 bis — probably all belong to the same 
 bird, which must be referred, as I first pointed out, to Moiacilla 
 viridis, Auct, taken from Brown's lllustr. of Zoology. It is 
 also (says Mr. Blyth) the M. bistrigata of Raffles. 
 
 No. 139. — The Mot variegata of Vieillot was named previ- 
 ously by Latham M. Indica, and Mr. Blyth has lately creat- 
 ed a new genus for it by the name of Nemoricola. 
 
 No. 140. — The white wagtail of India is Mot. luzoniensis, 
 Scopoli, since named leucopsis by Gould, and alboides by 
 Hodgson. 
 
 * No. 144 bis. — The species which I mention under the 
 name of fuscoventris as having been seen, but not obtained 
 by me at the Neilgherries, proves to be a new species, which 
 I have named Lcucocirca pectoralis. Vide my lllustr. Ind. 
 Ornith. pi. ii. 
 
 Nos. 146 and 147. — The red bird is only the immature one 
 of the white — vide lllustr. Iud. Ornith. pi. vii. 
 
1844.] the Birds of Southern India. 135 
 
 * No. 150 bis. — Muscicapa (Cyornis) Tickellioz Blyth — 
 M. hyacinthina T. apud Tickell. 
 
 As it is probable that most of Tickell's species will be found 
 within the limits of my district, I shall here include such of 
 his birds as have been authenticated, and this among the num- 
 ber. 
 
 No. 154 bis. — Suppl. Cat. — M. rubecula Sw. Mr. Blyth 
 suggests that this may probably be the female of the pre- 
 ceding bird. 
 
 No. 125. — Sykes' M. picata is distinct from the Malayan 
 bird, with which I had confounded it, but it will bear the prior 
 name of tyrannides, Tickell. The M. variegata Auct. is 
 perhaps the female of this bird. 
 
 No. 156 — Muse. Erythropygia. — This is probably a species 
 of Phcenicornis (vel Pericrocotus) as suggested by Mr. Blyth. 
 I find it described, and a figure of the male given by Latham, 
 as the Cawnpore Flycatcher, No. 30 G. H. 
 
 No. 161. — The Pica Sinensis is a doubtful native of the 
 Peninsula; I have never obtained it; and as the collection in 
 which I saw it named as from the Eastern Ghauts, included 
 specimens from other parts of the country, I shall in future 
 exclude it from the Peninsular Fauna. 
 
 No. 166. — This bird described under the name of Pastor 
 Malabaricus in my Catalogue being considered new, I gave 
 a figure of it in my Illustrations under the name of P. Blythii. 
 
 * No. 166 bis. — P. Malabaricus verus. — The gray headed 
 Myna alluded to in my account of the last bird, as a cold 
 weather visitant to the peninsula, is now considered to be the 
 real Malabaricus. It is abundant in Bengal. 
 
 No. 168. — The hill Myna of Southern India is quite distinct 
 from that of Bengal, which again differs much from that of Ma- 
 layana. Mr. Blyth who had only seen the two forms, consi- 
 dered the Bengal one as true rcligiosa, vcl Javanus Cuv. 5 and 
 
134 Second Supplement to the Catalogue of [No. 31 
 
 the one from S. India as Indica, ( Enlabus Indicus Cuv.J 
 In Lord Arthur Hay's collection are specimens of each, and 
 he names the Southern one religiosa, the Bengal one Indica, 
 and the Malayan one Javamts, to avoid the inconvenience of 
 a new name, but 1 imagine if any of the three species require 
 a new name it will be that of Southern India, and I would 
 suggest the name of G. minor. 
 
 No. 169. — It is probable that our common weaver bird differs 
 from the E. Philippensis, and Mr. Blyth has suggested for it 
 the name of E. Baya. 
 
 No. 170. — The Brahmincc Baya, which I referred in my 
 Catalogue to E. Bengalensis, being found distinct from that 
 species, both of which are abundant in Bengal, gave it the 
 name of striatus ; but Mr. Strickland has ascertained that it 
 is identical with the species named Many at by Horsfield, 
 whose name will therefore stand. It is also E. jlaciceps of 
 Swain son. 
 
 Nos. 172 and 17-J. — These two species will stand as punc- 
 tularia, and striata, names which, 1 believe, I was the first to 
 point out as prior appellations to those given by Temminck. 
 
 No. 175. — S.cheet (Sykes.) — This little Finch is undoubted- 
 ly the Lozia Malabarica of the older authors, as was pointed 
 out by Mr. Blyth. 
 
 No. 177. — The name JlavicoUis was first given by Tickell, 
 not by Franklin. 
 
 No. 178 — Pijrgiia concolor. — Mr. Blyth considers it possible 
 that the Emberiza olivacca of Tickell may refer to this bird, 
 which I have never again met with. 
 
 * No. 179 bis. — Emberiza icterica Eversm. apud Gray — 
 E. hdeola, Lath., apud Blyth — E. guddak Buch Ham. 
 
 This handsome species of Bunting, which I learn from Mr- 
 Blyth has been figured by Gray, is. I find on reference to Mr. 
 
1844.] the Birds of Southern India. 135 
 
 Elliot's notes, the species named Gundum by him, which 
 1 had confounded with the E. melanocephala, so abundant in 
 the north of the Deccan, and there called Gundum. I have 
 procured this bird from the Cuddapah district during the 
 cold weather, and Mr. Blyth has obtained it from Central 
 India. Mr. Elliot too found it abundant in Dharwar ; but it 
 appears to be very locally distributed, for I never myself ob- 
 tained, or saw it, that I am aware of, among the thousands of 
 E. melanocephala that yearly visit the corn fields about Jaul- 
 nah. 
 
 No. 180 — E. ortolana Sykcs' Cat. — I have not myself 
 obtained this as yet, nor has Mr. Blyth, but he has seen a 
 drawing of Buchanan's of an allied species, which he has 
 named E. Buchanani. 
 
 No. 181 — E. cia. — The doubtfully cited cia of my Cata- 
 logue is referred to Emberiza fucata Pallas, E. leshia of 
 Temminck ; not of other authors. 
 
 Nos. 182 and 183 — E. cristata, and E. subcristaia. — These 
 are but male and female of the same bird, which is now 
 named E. ( MclophusJ Lathami Gray. It is also the E. 
 nipalensis of Hodgson, and the E. erythroptera of Jardine and 
 Sclby. The bird named by BufTon, Le Moineau de Macao, 
 figured PI. Enl. 224, 1, appears to me to be the same bird, 
 and if so it will bear the prior, but certainly inappropriate, 
 name oimelanictera Vieillot. 
 
 No. 185—Alauda Chendoola. — The Aggun of South India 
 referred by me from a living specimen to Franklin's chendoola, 
 is, I find on procuring specimens, a species of Mirafra, which 
 1 have called cantillans, under which name Mr. Blvth has 
 described it in the Journal of the Asiatic Society, vol. 13, p. 
 960. It appears very locally distributed, but Mr. Blvth has 
 obtained it near Calcutta. 
 
 No. 186 — A lauda deva— Sykcs. — The Chandoo/ of South- 
 
1844.] the Birds of Southern India. 137 
 
 I have procured several specimens of this Titlark in the 
 neighbourhood of Nellore. Mr. Blyth obtained his specimen 
 from Darjeeling. 
 
 No. 193 bis. — This species must be cancelled, it being iden- 
 tical with my Pellorneum, No. 86, as previously indicated. 
 
 No. 195. — This is now the Ertjthrospiza erythrina (Pall.), 
 the name rosea of Vieillot being preoccupied, and L. Bona- 
 parte's generic name being prior to Hcemorrhous of Swainson. 
 
 No. 197. — This the common Hornbjll of Malabar must 
 stand as Buceros pica, Scopoli, — whose names precede those 
 of Latham. It is distinct from the Bengal bird, B. albirostris. 
 
 No. 198. — This species will stand now as Buceros birostris 
 Scop. 
 
 * No. 205 bis. — P. ceylonus Forst. P. neglectas, Wagler. 
 
 Lord Arthur Hay brought from Ceylon a single specimen 
 of this Woodpecker, which, it is highly probable, will be yet 
 found in the southernmost portions of the peninsula. 
 
 No. 206 — P. ( Hemicercus J cordatus. — Mr. Blyth appears 
 to think that the Picus Canente'pi Lesson is identical with my 
 bird. A figure will appear in my Illustrations No. 3. Mr. 
 Blyth has obtained it fronf Arracan. 
 
 No. 208 — P. Elliotti. — Some time ago a pair, male and 
 female, of a fine Woodpecker were sent to me by Lord Arthur 
 Hay, which had been identified by Mr. Elliot, as the one 
 described by me from his notes. The male has the crest fine 
 red — but the description of the female was accurate enough 
 when the punctuation is corrected ; for it should be read 
 " Cheeks black ; spot from the eye," &c. — on seeing these 
 birds I at once recognised a Woodpecker described by Mr. 
 Blyth as P. ( Chrysocolaptes) melanolus. On my arrival at 
 Madras and comparing the descriptions of Latham and Shaw, 
 together with the figure in Shaw copied from the PI. Enl., 
 I at once saw that this was the Goa Woodpecker of old 
 authors, P. Goensis — and it will accordingly stand as Chryso- 
 
138 Secoiid Supplement to the Catalogue of [No. 31 
 
 colaplus Goensis. Wagler of course is in error in putting it 
 as a synonym of P. strictus. I have of late obtained it at 
 Nellore, inhabiting the densest portions of the jungles of the 
 Eastern Ghauts.— Length 12 inches, W. 6, T. SI, Bill 
 (front) 2, Tars. 1. 
 
 No. 209. — P. fDendrocopusJ Hardmicku — new species — 
 P. moluccen&is apud Gray and Hardwicke — Jerdon — Blyth, 
 &c. — -On comparing specimens from Southern India "with the 
 original figure in P. E. pi. 748, 2, and finding moreover that 
 there are several allied species in India much more like this 
 Molucca bird, I am compelled to rename this species, and have 
 accordingly named it after one of the most successful culti- 
 vators of Indian Zoology. It appears to be the Cawnpore 
 "Woodpecker, Latham, No. 19 — the variety A. of his P. moluc- 
 censis being one of the allied Indian species. 
 
 No. 209 bis. — P. fDendrocopusJ nanus Vigors. 
 
 The dark variety alluded to in my catalogue was identified 
 by me with a specimen of P. nanus from central India. 
 
 No. 210 — P. squamatus. — The Himalayan Woodpecker 
 figured by Gould is a much larger species than the one found 
 in Southern India, which Mr. Blyth has named P. striolatus, 
 J. A. S. vol. xii. p. 1000, where he also points out, that I have 
 indicated another allied species which he has procured from 
 Assam and named viridanus. Those that answer to his P. 
 striolatus, I have obtained from the Malabar Coast, and the 
 forests of the Eastern Ghauts. 
 
 * No. 210 bis. — P. (Gecinus) viridanus Blyth — 1. c. — Mr. 
 Blyth subsequently,!. A. S. page 191, says, P. viridanus would 
 seem to be P. dimidialus of the Diet, class, though not of 
 Gray and Hardwicke. 
 
 No. 211 — P. Mentalis. — The bird doubtfully referred by 
 me to P. mentalis was considered by Mr. Blyth to be the 
 P. ncpalensis figured in Gray and Hardwicke, and he has 
 since referred it to P. chloropus of the Diet, class, evidently 
 
1844.] the Birds of Southern India. 139 
 
 the same bird as the P. chlorolophus of Vieillot, Encycl. Meth., 
 which name I presume will stand for the Bengal bird. This 
 however differs so considerably from the allied species of 
 Southern India, that I have no hesitation in considering them 
 distinct — and accordingly bestow on our southern bird the 
 appellation of chloric/aster. It differs from the Nepal bird 
 in smaller size, less developed crest, darker abdomen, and 
 various other points which I shall particularize in my Illus- 
 trations, for which I have prepared a figure of our southern 
 bird. 
 
 * No. 212 bis. — P. ( Brachypternus J micropus Blyth J. A. 
 S. — vol. 14 — 194. — I procured a specimen, among a lot of 
 P. bengalensis, which appeared to me to be smaller in all its 
 proportions than that species, and sent it to Mr. Blyth, who 
 has named it as above. It was obtained in the jungles of the 
 Eastern Ghauts. 
 
 No. 214 — P. badius. — Mr. Blyth has quite recently (J. A. 
 S. 14. 195) separated the rufous Woodpecker obtained in the 
 north of India from the nearly allied Malayan bird, by the 
 name of P. (micropternusj phaioceps. I am not very certain 
 if the South Indian bird be identical or not with this, as I have 
 too few specimens for comparison, but it appears to differ in 
 the colour of the chin and throat, which, instead of being 
 rufous edged with paler, is of a dark olive brown, edged 
 with white. It is also somewhat smaller. Should it prove 
 distinct on further examination, I would suggest the name of 
 P. (mien 'opt emus J gularis. 
 
 ■ No. 215 — P. tiga. — Mr. Blyth considers a specimen I sent 
 of this bird to be the P. shorn, as I had suggested in my 
 catalogue — but the smaller specimens alluded to are probably 
 the real P. tiga, or it may be Blyth's P. intermedins. 
 
 * No. 215 bis. — P. shorii — Vigors. 
 
 No. ^Yl—Bucco viridis. — The true B. viridis, as I find on 
 reference to the figure in PL Enl. pi. 870, is the bird found 
 
140 Second Supplement to the Catalogue of [No. 31 
 
 on the Neilgherries, and occasionally in other parts of the Mal- 
 abar Coast. 
 
 * No. 217 bis. — Bucco zeylanicus — Lath. — B. lineatus, Tic. 
 kell — B. caniceps Franklin — B. viridis Jerdon Cat., in part. — 
 This large Bucco is found in all the jungles of India, as well 
 on the East as on the West Coast. I have specimens from 
 Malabar, and the Eastern Ghauts — and have seen others from 
 Goomsoor, and Bengal. The individuals appear to differ 
 somewhat in the form of the bill — but this is not sufficient, 
 I imagine, to form grounds for their separation — as specifically- 
 distinct. 
 
 Length 10JJ inches, W. 5, T.3|, Bill (front) 1*, Tars, l^ths. 
 
 * No. 21G bis. — Bucco barbicidus— Cxx\ . — A small species 
 obtained by Lord A. Hay from the jungles of Malabar, and 
 of which I had no description, was thus named by Mr. Blyth, 
 to whom I sent a specimen for examination. 
 
 Length 6 inches, W. 3h, T. 1 h, Bill (front) ftths. 
 
 It differs chiefly from B. Indicus in the red of the fore part 
 of the head not reaching so far back, and in having all the 
 parts that arc yellow in Indicus, bright red • also in wanting 
 the striated lower plumage. 
 
 No. 222. — Cuculus fugax. — I think that this the common 
 species of India should be named Cuculus Lathami, the name 
 given to the adult bird in Gray and Hardwicke's Illustrations ; 
 I have not seen, nor heard of its having been obtained from 
 any of the Malay countries, and a species in Lord Arthur 
 Hay's collection from Malacca, appears to correspond with 
 Horsfield's description. 
 
 * No. 232 bis. — Cuculus micropterus Gould. — I have obtain- 
 ed this Cuckoo of late, once in the Carnatic near Nellore. It 
 also probably occurs in the West Coast, but it is certainly rare 
 in the South of India. 
 
 ]yr 003 — Cuculus himalaijanus. — Mr. Blyth has referred 
 a specimen sent him of this bird to the Cuculus sonncraiii. 
 
1844.] the Birds of Southern India. 141 
 
 Latham, with which he also identifies Horsfield's pravata — 
 but I possess a specimen from Malacca very distinct from our 
 peninsular bird, which is probably that species. As this is a 
 rare bird, and only found in the West Coast, I think it not 
 improbable that it may prove distinct from .the species taken 
 by Sonnerat, and in that case I would suggest the name of 
 Cuculus venustus. 
 
 * No. 223 bis. — Cucidus poliocephalus, Lath. C. himalay- 
 anus, Vigors. 
 
 I obtained a single example of this Cuckoo in the cold 
 weather, near Nellore. 
 
 No. 224 Cuc.JZavus. — The synonyms I adopted with doubt 
 do not apply to this bird, and the Malayan specimens referred 
 to this bird (of which however C. meridinus Scopoli, is a prior 
 name) being usually smaller, and in rather different plumage; 
 the name at present adopted for this Cuckoo is that of C. 
 tenidrostris, applied to the young bird in Gray and Hardwicke. 
 
 * No. 2.25 bis. — Cuculus ( Chrysococcyx) lucidus. — On ob- 
 taining access to Brown's Illustrations of Zoology,and carefully 
 examining his birds, I at once recognised his figure of Trogon 
 maculatus as an immature bird of this species. It was stated 
 to have been found in Ceylon, and if so, is very probably a 
 rare inhabitant of the forests of the West Coast. It has been 
 procured by Mr. Blyth from central India. 
 
 No. 228 — Eudynamys oricntalis. — I think it probable that 
 the Cuculus lionoratus of authors figured in PI. Enl. pi. 294, 
 is merely the young of this bird. 
 
 * No. 229 bis. — Zanclostomus trislis, (Lesson) longicaudat us, 
 Blyth. — This Cuckoo has been obtained from the jungles of 
 Goomsoor. 
 
 No. 230 — Zanclostomus sirl-cc. — Mr. Blyth has recently 
 procured two additional closely allied species to the one 
 found in Southern India, one of which from central India, he 
 considers to be the true sirkee, and mine he concludes to be 
 
142 Second Supplement to the Catalogue of [No. 31 
 
 the Taccocua Leschenaidtu of Lesson, whose generic name, 
 though not very euphonous, will stand for this division, which 
 is very separable from Zanclostomus , partaking more of the 
 habits of Centropus, feeding a good deal on the ground. 
 
 No. 231 bis. Suppl. Cat. — Centropus bengalensis. — As I 
 have lately obtained a specimen of Centropus lepidus fiom 
 the Eastern Ghauts, I am inclined to believe that it was this 
 species that was observed by Mr. Elliot in the Southern 
 Mahratta country. 
 
 No. 23o~Cinnyris polita. — It appears that the name of 
 Lotenice — L., must stand for this Honeysucker, as it was 
 originally given by Linnaeus to a bird from Ceylon, and was 
 afterwards misapplied to an African, or Madagascar species, 
 somewhat allied in colouring. 
 
 No. 236 — Cinn vigorsii. — This handsome species is C. 
 qoalparieusis, Royle — C. miles, Hodgson — and Nectarinia 
 Seherice of Tickell. 
 
 No. 236 bis. Suppl. Cat. — C. longirostris. — This is the 
 inornata of Temminck, now referred to arachnothera. 
 
 * No. 237 bis. — Dicoeum crythrorhynchos, Latham, D. Tic- 
 kellice, Blyth. — I obtained a specimen of this little species 
 from Malabar through the kindness of my friend Mr. Ward. 
 
 No. 238 — Upupa minor. — Mr. Blyth considers the lesser 
 Hoopooe of Southern India to be identical with the West 
 African species named Sencgalc?isis by Swainson — and distinct 
 from minor of S. Africa. 
 
 * No. 238 bis. — Upupa Epops. — The European Iloopooe, 
 common in Bengal, is also occasionally found here. I obtained 
 it on the Neilgherries only. 
 
 No. 240 — Merops PJiilippinus. — On comparing the figure 
 in the PI. Enl., I think that our large Bee-eater is not the one 
 there represented, and a Malacca specimen in Lord A. Hay's 
 collection agrees much better with the figure — Merops 
 
1844.] the Birds of Southern India. 143 
 
 Javanicus is identified with Philippimts — our Indian bird 
 is certainly the Chesnut throated Bee-eater, Latham. 
 
 No. 245. — On comparing Malay specimens of Halcyon 
 capemis with those of Southern India, a very perceptible 
 difference is at once observed, and, as the former agree exact- 
 ly with the figure and description in the PI. Enl., which I 
 had previously been unable to identify with our peninsular 
 bird, I shall now give this the name of Halcyon bruniceps. 
 Mr. Blyth (J. A. S. vol. 14) has also recently pointed out the 
 distinctions — which are, the unvarying brown tint of head 
 and hind neck in our Indian bird — to which I may add, that 
 the blue colour of the wings and tail is much deeper in the 
 Malay bird. It is evidently the variety mentioned by Latham, 
 who considered it distinct, as well as his var. D. of the black- 
 capped Kingfisher, No. 27. 
 
 * No. 245 bis. — Halcyon atricapillus. — This fine Kingfish- 
 er must be added to our peninsular Fauna, as I have obtained 
 specimens from the West Coast. 
 
 No. 246. — This little Kingfisher will stand, I consider, a3 
 C. tridactyla. Vide my Illust. Ind. Ornith. pi. 25. 
 
 No. 248 bis. — Ispida rudis. — As the African and Indian 
 birds are now considered distinct, and as this name was appli- 
 ed to the African bird, Strickland has called the Indian one 
 Ispida varia. 
 
 No. %bo—Caprimulgus MahraUensis. — Mr. Blyth considers 
 that a fine nightjar which I lately obtained from the Eastern 
 Ghauts, and which was referred to by me in my Illustrations 
 pi. 24, as probably C. macrourus Horsf., will turn out to be 
 Sykes' MahraUensis — and that the true Macrourus is a very 
 closely allied species which he lately obtained from Arracan. 
 
 * No. 253 bis. — Podargus Javancnsis. — I received from 
 Captain Eoberts of the 36th N. I., an excellent observer, a 
 very accurate account of this bird, which he obtained at 
 the Peria pass, leading from Malabar into the "Wvnaad. 
 
144 Second Supplement to the Catalogue of [No. 31 
 
 * No. 255 bis. — Cypselus leuconyx—'EXyth. J . A. S. vol. 14. 
 — I procured this Swift in the Deccan, and have also obtain- 
 ed it from Malabar. 
 
 * No. 255 ter. — Cypselus montanus — new species. — I must 
 consider this little Swift as distinct from affinis, though Mr. 
 Blyth (J. A. S.) only looks on it as a young bird — and I hope 
 to obtain more specimens for comparison. It differs chiefly 
 in its smaller dimensions, but on comparing it with true 
 affinis, various differences appear in the shade of colour, 
 especially in that of the head and neck. It inhabits cliffs on 
 the Neilgherries. 
 
 L. 4 A, W. 4t%, T. lv,. 
 
 No. 257 bis. Suppl. Cat. — This is the Chcelura gigantea 
 (Tern.) found also in various parts of the Malay provinces. 
 An allied species the Ch. Macraptera, Swains., vel nudipes, 
 Hodgson, is found in the Himalayas. 
 
 No. 259— Hirundo erythropygia, Sykes. — This is the//. 
 daurica of Authors. 
 
 No. 261 bis. Suppl. Cat.—//, domicola. — Mr. Blyth informs 
 me that this is identical with //. jacanica, — neoxena, Gould, 
 and that it is figured in Gould's Bird of Australia.* 
 
 No. 261 — II. unicolor. — This species since referred by me 
 to the Swifts, and called C. concolor by Blyth (there being 
 already a C. unicolor) has been quite recently referred by that 
 naturalist to the groub Colocalia, the type of which is the 
 //. csculenta of the Malay provinces. This is very interest- 
 ing, as, if its nests can be discovered on the precipitous cliffs 
 near which it is seen, they will probably be found similar 
 to those of its far-famed congener. 
 
 No. 263 bis. Suppl. Cat. — H.inornata. — This Swallow turns 
 out to be the //. rupestris of the South of Europe. It was 
 also named by Hodgson H. rupicola. 
 (To he continued.) 
 
 * Mr. B. has more recently informed me that II. jewan is referred to Jacanica, and 
 domicola topacifica, Lath. 
 
Descriptions of Birds. 145 
 
 XII. — Descriptions of some supposed New, or Imperfectly 
 Described, Species of Birds. 
 
 By Lord Arthur Hay, 
 A. D. C. to the Marqtiis of Tweeddale. 
 
 Niscetus albo-niger, — Bl. young ? 
 
 From Malacca, and perfectly distinct from any of the other 
 species of the group, though approaching nearest to N. Cris- 
 tatellus in the young plumage, being however much smaller. 
 
 This bird has the head crested as in N. Cristatellus ; the 
 feathers forming the crest being black, slightly edged with 
 dirty white at the tips; all the under parts white washed with 
 light fulvous, darkest on the flanks, and thigh coverts; upper 
 parts brown, lightest on the head, two middle tail feathers 
 similarly brown with three distinct broad black transverse 
 bars, and a fainter one near the base of the tail ; the outer 
 rectrices lighter on their inner webs, and all the feathers 
 edged with dirty white at the tips ; under surface of the tail 
 light, the black bands being seen distinctly only through 
 the two middle and the two outer tail feathers. Primaries 
 deep brown ; outer webs of the first black ; wings graduated ; 
 first quill |ths the length of the second, which is shorter than 
 the third, while the fourth and fifth are nearly equal, though 
 the fifth is longest ; the under side of the wing is white near 
 the flanks and shoulders, while the lower part is barred 
 with black. The tarsus is closely feathered to the base of the 
 toes. The whole form is strictly that of a Nisaetus. 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Wings 11 inches. 
 
 Tail 10 „ 
 
 Tarsus 3/^ „ 
 
 Hallux lfV „ 
 
 Middle toe 1 T 4 7 inches. 
 
 Bill from gape.. .1-^ ,, 
 base...l 
 
 If my bird should on comparison be found distinct from 
 albo-niger, I propose the name Malay amis. 
 
 19 
 
146 Descriptions of some supposed New, or 
 
 Buleo (ButasterJ fasciatus — New Species. 
 
 An interesting raptorial bird seemingly belonging to the 
 group Butaster,* Hodgson, was sent tome from Malacca, and 
 which I now describe as probably new, under the provisional 
 name of fasciatus. Plumage above deep smoky brown ; 
 lores brown cinereous, and so distinct in hue from the sur- 
 rounding feathers as to be readily remarked. A white super- 
 ciliary stripe commences over the middle of the ears, a few 
 of the feathers springing from the nostrils having white shafts 
 and centres. The throat and chin are white, a black stripe 
 extending longitudinally from the chin down the middle of 
 the throat ; a parallel black stroke bounds the white on each 
 side; the upper part of the breast is of a uniform brown, 
 but the lower part, the belly and flanks, thigh coverts and 
 vent, have each of their respective feathers alternately and 
 transversely banded with light brown and white, presenting a 
 fasciated appearance ; the shafts of these feathers are deep 
 brown and preserve a uniform colour even when passing 
 through the white. The upper tail coverts are of a similar 
 hue with the rest of the upper parts, though some of them in 
 my specimen are broadly tipped with white. The tail is 
 smoky brown, broadly barred with three distinct transverse 
 black bands, and one much fainter near the base; the shafts 
 of the tail feathers are light or dark as they pass through 
 either the light or dark parts of the tail. The under shoulder 
 coverts are marked with light rufous brown upon a white 
 ground, the under basal half of the wings is white, the tips 
 of the primaries are black, while the quills are crossed by 
 two or three straggling dark bands. The first quill is two- 
 thirds the length of the wing, and much shorter than the 
 second, which is a little shorter than the fifth, the third and 
 fourth being equal and longest. The bill is black with the gape 
 and basal half of the lower mandible dirty yellow in the dried 
 
 • Now" Poliornis. 
 
Imperfectly Described, Species of Birds. 147 
 
 skin ; the tarsus is feathered a little beyond the knee and 
 covered by octagonal scales. 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Total length .11| inches. I Hallux 1 t l inches. 
 
 Wing 13 ,, I Bill from base . . 1 T \, „ 
 
 Tarsus 'A 7 jt>, I » g a P e -- ^o >> 
 
 Middle toe !■& „ I Tail 8 
 
 Scops Malay anus — New Species. 
 
 It was not till after the strictest comparison had been 
 drawn between this species and the S. Aldrovandi of Europe 
 that I ventured to consider it as distinct. The grounds 
 upon which 1 have separated the two species are these. First, 
 the total absence of gray perceived in the plumage of S. 
 Aldrovandi; secondly, the superior strength of bill and 
 length of tarsus of that bird; thirdly, the distinct manner in 
 which the under surface of the primaries are mottled, these 
 differences I consider to be sufficient to warrant their separa- 
 tion, particularly as two species from Africa, *S*. Capensis and 
 S. Scnegalcnsis have bee)i described and acknowledged as 
 distinct — and also a species from Brazil, without possessing 
 greater distinctions. 
 
 The present species was received from Malacca. 
 
 I shall now endeavour to point out the more prominent 
 features in the plumage of the present bird. The under 
 surface is distinctly divided into two equal portions ; the 
 first including the chin, throat and breast, being wood-brown 
 mottled with a little white, light rufous, and black, irregular- 
 ly distributed ; the lower division including the belly, vent, 
 thigh coverts, and under tail coverts, is white, speckled with 
 deep brown and light rufous. 
 
 The ground of the upper surface is ferruginous wood- 
 brown, closely speckled with black, and purest on the upper 
 tail coverts ; four large white spots occur on each side of the 
 
148 Descriptions of some supposed New, or 
 
 back, which when examined will be found to form only the 
 outer webs of the feathers, to which they belong, the inner 
 webs being like the rest of the dorsal plumage; each of these 
 feathers is tipped with black ; a little white occurs over each 
 eye, and the cheeks are minutely speckled with white ; the 
 ears are bright rufous at the base, but resemble the dorsal 
 plumage at the tips ; the bristles which spring from the chin 
 and nostrils are dirty white ; the first quill has five rufous 
 spots on its outer web, the second also has five spots, but the 
 two nearest the tip only are rufous, the others being white ; 
 the spots on the three next quills are white, and those on the 
 sixth are entirely rufous ; the inner webs in S. Aldrotandi 
 are barred, but these bars are wanting in the Malay Scops, 
 light tawny blotches breaking only the hair brown colour of 
 the quills ; the tips of the quills however are faintly and 
 minutely speckled; the third and fourth quills are equal 
 and longest, the second and fifth are equal, and the first is 
 shorter than any ; the upper surface being but faintly barred, 
 and hair brown. 
 
 The upper mandible of the bill is black, the under dirty 
 yellow ; in shape it closely resembles S. Aldrotandi, but is 
 neither so high, nor so strong ; the tarsus is not feathered as 
 far down as in the European bird, the whole leg and foot is 
 weaker, and the entire bird is smaller. 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Wing 5^ inches. 
 
 Tarsus , S T „ 
 
 Tail 2 T % „ 
 
 Buceros Violaceus, Wagler. 
 
 Lower portion of the breast, belly, vent, thigh coverts, 
 tips of the quills, and tail, excepting the two middle feathers, 
 white, the rest of the plumage glossy green black ; first and 
 
Imperfectly Described, Species of Birds. 149 
 
 second primaries uniform black, short, narrow, and attenuated 
 at the ends, in a somewhat similar manner to the first quill 
 in the genus Ptilinopits, as seen in Columba f P.J jambos ; 
 head crested as in most Buceridoe, that is the longest feathers 
 rising from the nape, and growing shorter towards the ver- 
 tex. The two middle tail feathers surpass slightly the rest, 
 and show an indication to be tipped with white ; these fea- 
 thers are more pointed than the lateral ones, which become 
 almost truncate in form, and slightly graduated in length ; this 
 structure is to be observed also in the following species, as 
 well as in B. Albirostris, Malabaricus, Gingianus, Gingalen- 
 sis, Coronatus (Africa), &c. 
 
 The form of the bill in this species is very peculiar, the 
 true line of the culmen may be seen along its whole length; 
 a narrow groove commences at the nostril which is placed in it, 
 and separates in a way the main portion of the upper mandi- 
 ble from its casque ; the culmenoid ridge of the casque for 
 half its length is much higher than the occipital plane of the 
 head ; the casque is much swollen all its length, though most 
 so in the middle, where, when seen from above, it is broader 
 than the bill ; its posterior portion is much narrower than 
 the front of the head, and its anterior portion is much pinched, 
 so as to render it almost sharp ; the sides of the upper mandi- 
 ble are concave, and the margins of the bill are dentated, and 
 in my specimen much worn, irregularly notched, and broken. 
 From Malacca. 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Total length 27 inches. 
 
 Wing 10 „ 
 
 Tarsus 1 T 9 „ „ 
 
 Hallux 1 
 
 Culmenoid ridge .. 3^ „ 
 
 Bill from gape 4-^ inches. 
 
 Gonys 3ft „ 
 
 True culmen 2fV „ 
 
 Bill from nostril in a 
 
 straight line J *?» '• 
 
 Buceros Comatus, Raffles. 
 A specimen of what I consider to be this bird is now be- 
 
150 Descriptions of some supposed New, or 
 
 fore me, but in case it should not be the same species, I add 
 the following description ; head, neck, throat, breast, tip of 
 the primaries, belly and tail white— wings, back, upper and 
 under tail coverts, vent, and thigh coverts, black ; the feathers 
 on the crown of the head are stiff, loose in the web, black at 
 the base, with black shafts for half their length ; immediately 
 behind the nostril springs a tuft of loose stiff hairy feathers, 
 half the length of the bill, and some of them with black shafts 
 all their length ; on the sides of the basal portion of the lower 
 mandible, though not quite : at the rictal angle, a few black 
 bristles occur, these are so far spurious in that they show a 
 slight tendency to run into the texture of a feather, a few 
 scattered hairs in lieu of close webs springing from the sides 
 of the shaft ; the ciliary bristles are remarkably strong and 
 black ; the throat is thinly clothed with feathers ; the crest 
 is long and full. The white colour of the feathers is purest 
 underneath the outermost ones which are of a tawny hue. 
 The black colour of the ventral feathers inclines to rusty. 
 The abdominal feathers are black for the basal half of their 
 length. 
 
 The bill is of a dull horn colour mingled with yellowish 
 white (in the dry state), there is no decided casque rising 
 from the upper mandible, the highest part of its culmen being 
 hardly higher than the occipital plane of the head ; the 
 upper mandible most bulged at the region of the nostrils, 
 but much compressed beyond ; the margins of the bill are 
 very plainly serrated, the culmenoid crest is rounded, and 
 not sharp, it occupies two-thirds of the true culmen, the 
 curve of which proceeds along its base in the form of a fur- 
 row or groove, which is lost in the swelling of the bill near the 
 nostrils. I regret not being able to detail the caudal structure, 
 as my specimen is somewhat damaged ; the claws are (as in 
 most of the Bueeridce) deeply grooved on their under surface, 
 thus making the lateral corneous sheathing quite thin and 
 pliable. From Malacca. 
 
Imperfectly Described, Species of Birds. 151 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Total length .... 41 inches. 
 
 Wing 14 
 
 Tarsus 2^ ,, 
 
 Hallux 1 T % „ 
 
 Bill from gape, .... 6^ ,, 
 
 Bill Nostril in al r , ■ , 
 ..,,,. > 5-r^ inches, 
 
 straight line J lu 
 
 Culmenoid ridge. . . .4 „ 
 
 True culmen 2 r \ ,, 
 
 Gonys 3 T 7 ff ,, 
 
 Buceros Malayanus, Raffles. Adult ? 
 
 The whole of the plumage glossy black, (appearing 
 slightly green in certain lights) with the exception of the 
 lower ends of the four outermost tail feathers, and the coro- 
 nal circle, which are white — bill and feet black. Three speci- 
 mens are before me, two agreeing entirely in their plumage, 
 structure, and colouring of the bill, the other differing from 
 them by having the bill perfectly white, and its protuberance 
 differently shaped, as if not fully developed, and in having 
 the white of the tips of the outer rectrices more developed ; 
 the crest also in this supposed young bird is not so large, 
 as if it also had not arrived at maturity. 
 
 The bill without the casque in the adult bird is very simi- 
 lar to that of B. carinatus, Blyth, while that of the young bird 
 resembles it closely, the casque not being fully developed in 
 front, its superior margin hardly breaking the true culmen; 
 the anterior edge of the casque in my adult bird, on the con- 
 trary, is almost perpendicular to the occipital plane of the 
 head, while its posterior portion divides the feathers of the 
 head, as it also does in the young bird; this posterior portion 
 is bulged and rounded ; as the casque advances on the beak, 
 it becomes compressed, and its culmenoid ridge is so rendered 
 quite sharp ; the commissure in the old bird is toothed, as 
 in the Ptcroglossi, this is not so distinctly visible in the 
 young bird ; the gular region is clothed with feathers, though 
 the parts near the edges and angles of the lower mandible are 
 bare ; this nakedness is more marked in the young bird than 
 in the old ones. The crest has its mesial portion quite black, 
 and the rest white ; the black not being so extended poste- 
 riorly as the white. 
 
152 Descriptions of some supposed New, or 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Adult. 
 
 Total length 29 inches. 
 
 Wing 1I T *- ,, 
 
 Tarsus , 1 T »- „ 
 
 Hallux ] T V „ 
 
 Gonys 2 T \ „ 
 
 Bill from gape 4^% „ 
 
 Protuberance from base. . . 3 ,, 
 
 From nostril to the tip in a 
 straight line 4 inches. 
 
 From anterior edge of protu- 
 berance tothe tipofthe bill. 2^ ,, 
 
 From base to tip in a straight 
 line 4/j ,, 
 
 Of white portion of the crest 
 from above the eye 3-j^ „ 
 
 Young. 
 
 Total length 23 inches. I Bill from gape 4 inches. 
 
 Wing H-fV »» .. nostril 3 T V ,, 
 
 Tarsus 1 T ' ; „ ' Total length from base 4y> 7 „ 
 
 Hallux 1 T >- „ j White portion of the crest. . 3 „ 
 
 Gonys 2-fr „ 
 
 Buceros Elliotti — New Species. 
 
 This species resembles the last one very closely, but it is 
 much larger, and wants the white bordered crest, otherwise the 
 description I have given of the plumage of B. Malayanus 
 will do for this one; in my only specimen, the bill has evi- 
 dently arrived at maturity, and is perfectly white ; the pos- 
 terior portion of the casque covers a portion of the vertex, and 
 is eight-tenths of an inch higher than the occipital plane, its 
 posterior edge being one and seven-tenths of an inch behind 
 the nostril when measured in a straight line ; a ridge proceeds 
 from the nostril, and marks where the true culmen would be 
 if the casque were absent ; this ridge ends where the culmen 
 begins ; two more ridges run almost parallel to it, and above 
 it, thereby causing two corresponding furrows; a third furrow 
 is formed by the uppermost ridge and the swell of the casque, 
 which commences to bulge above it ; a fourth ridge is thus 
 formed, but, which is much broader and more rounded than 
 the lower ones, and is bounded along its superior edge by a 
 fourth furrow which is the last. The casque becomes compress- 
 ed as it advances on the bill, and is at last narrowed into a 
 point, its anterior edge instead of being perpendicular with 
 the occipital plane, forms with it (supposing the occipital plane 
 to be continued) an obtuse angle, and consequently an acute 
 
Imperfectly Described, Species of Birds. 153 
 
 angle, with the true culmen ; the margins of the bill are 
 serrated, and the whole bill is a miniature resemblance of that 
 of our common Malabar Hornbill, B. pica. 
 
 The first and second quills are formed similarly to those of 
 B. violaceus. 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Total length . . .. 34 inches. 
 Wing 13 
 
 True Culmen . . . 3^^ inches. 
 Bill from gape. . . . 5-^ „ 
 „ nostril. . 5X ,, 
 
 Tarsus 2 T V „ 
 
 Hallux ... 1 T = F ,, i Gonys 3J% „ 
 
 Culmenoid ridge. 5-^ ,, | 
 
 This Hornbill would be identical with Ey ton's bicolor 
 if the three lateral rectrices and the tips of the rest of the 
 tail were white (rectricibus tertiis lateralibus caudaeque apici- 
 bus albis ;) but as this species has got the tips only of its 
 four lateral rectrices white, and the two middle tail feathers 
 wholly black, it does not agree with Eyton's description. 
 
 Picus Melanogaster — New Species. 
 
 A very distinctly marked species of Woodpecker from 
 Malacca, and apparently new ; the only two specimens I 
 possess are not in full plumage, their general colours being 
 as follows : Back and wings when closed red marroon with a 
 waxy gloss — europygium of a dull rusty brown, or of duller 
 and browner tint than the back ; head (as seen in my immature 
 specimen) rusty brown, with the forehead much lighter and 
 inclining to tawny brown ; the usual Picine crest not much 
 developed and longest at the nape, where the tips of the 
 feathers are of a bright crimson or almost blood red, and 
 bearing in colour and texture though not in form a some- 
 what similar resemblance to the tips of the secondary 
 quills of the Wax wiiujs ; the whole of the under parts 
 excepting the chin are dark olive rusty brown, almost 
 inclining to black, and to which colour I suspect the feathers 
 of the old birds turn ; the chin and forehead arc similar in 
 
 20 
 
15-4 Descriptio?is of some supposed New, or 
 
 colour ; the upper tail coverts and the rectrices are brownish 
 black, barred with lighter bands, the middle rectrices not 
 forming an exception ; first quill of the wing almost spurious 
 and the outer webs of the Primaries are distinctly spotted, 
 and their inner webs more faintly barred with a colour 
 similar to the caudal bands. The bill is ivory white, and the 
 feet in the dried skin black. 
 
 This bird's generic characters seem to place it near the ge- 
 nus Derulrocopus, if not in it. 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Total length f 5 ,',, inches. 
 
 Wing 4w 
 
 Tail 3 
 
 Tarsus iV ns - >> 
 
 Outer hallux. ...... 1 inch. 
 
 Outer toe 1 ,, 
 
 Bill from base 1^ ,, 
 
 gape lfV „ 
 
 Gracula Religiosa, Linne. 
 
 Under the name of G. religiosa, Linne confounded two, if 
 not more species. Cuvier subsequently separated the largest 
 species which is found in Malasia from the continental Indian 
 species, naming the former Javanus, and the latter Indicus, 
 without regard to Linne's prior name of religiosa, (which was 
 applied to two species whose distinctness he allowed in his 
 systema natures, but to which he only gave the one name above 
 mentioned.) This is I believe generally allowed to apply to 
 the larger or Malasian species, but on reading over atten- 
 tively the notice, given by Linne in his system, of the G. re- 
 ligiosa, I find that the first bird described is evidently our 
 Peninsular bird, as it is distinctly said that the variety No. 2 
 is much larger. The name religiosa therefore ought most 
 certainly to be retained to the first described species, and 
 not to the variety. I have now before me specimens of 
 three distinct species, the first from Malacca, the second from 
 Malabar, and the third from Northern India and Arracan; the 
 third species is intermediate in size between the Malacca and 
 Malabar bird, and differs in other points also, which I will 
 
Imperfectly Described, Species of Birds. 155 
 
 point out. To the Malabar bird, as I said before, I would re- 
 tain Linne's name of religiosa; to the Malacca bird, should it 
 prove the same as the Javanese species, the name of Javanus ; 
 and to the third species which has not as yet been noticed as 
 distinct, I would, to avoid confusion, give Cuvier's name of 
 Indicus, and so avoid adding another name to the already 
 overloaded list of synonyms. 
 
 As the two names religiosa and Indicus have become so mix- 
 ed up that they have been applied by some to oar Indian bird, 
 and again in the opposite way by others to the Malasian bird, 
 the following description and dimensions will perhaps serve 
 to aid the elucidation of the species, should my previous re- 
 marks not prove satisfactory. 
 
 1st. — G. religidsa, Linn£, Jerd. Cat. 168. 
 The whole of the upper plumage and the lesser shoulder 
 coverts glossy purplish black, the metallic reflections changing 
 to green on the lower part of the back and upper tail coverts ; 
 under plumage the same as the upper, though not so bright; 
 under tail coverts dull black and fringed only at the ends 
 with the glossy hues of the general plumage ; this latter 
 character indeed is possessed by all the feathers when taken 
 singly. Wings and tail, coal black without reflections ; the 
 spurious quill is very short, and quite black; the first primary 
 has a white mark on its inner edge only ; the next six have 
 the white marks on both sides of the shaft, but forming in 
 the sixth (that is the seventh including the first) a roundish 
 blotch, and not occupying the whole breadth of the inner web ; 
 the wattles on the head commence below each eye, pass be- 
 yond the ear where each forms a small flap, and then returns 
 on to the head, so dividing the occiput and nucha into three 
 distinct portions, which are closely clothed like the rest of the 
 head with short velvety feathers. The legs are yellow, the 
 bill orange, and the eyes deep brown. 
 
 Specimens in my Cabinet both from Malabar and Goomsoor 
 agree perfectly in their colours, form, and dimensions. 
 
156 Descriptions of some supposed New, or 
 
 2d. — G. Javanus, Eulabes Javanus, Cuvier. O. religiosa, 
 Cuv. apud Horsfield, Zoological Res. In Java. Eulabes 
 Javanus, Vieil. 
 
 This species is perfectly distinct from the former, and is as 
 Linne remarks much larger ; but its superior size is not its 
 only distinction, for the form of the bill and shape of the 
 wattles form very marked differences ; in plumage, the two 
 agree pretty closely, though perhaps the Malay bird is the 
 brightest of the two ; a large stripe of deep velvety black 
 feathers begins just above each eye where it is narrowest, and 
 widens as it recedes, occupying the greater portion of each side 
 of the head, and nearly joining at the back of it; from the base 
 of the bill, and bounded on both sides by these black lateral 
 bands, passes the medial stripe of the feathers which clothe 
 the remainder of the head, and which are of a purplish gloss, 
 similar to the rest of the plumage ; this stripe narrows as it re- 
 cedes, its narrowest portion being where the lateral bands so 
 nearly join ; below each eye is a naked space of orange 
 coloured skin, and quite unconnected with the large wattles 
 that occur at the back of the head, and which commence from 
 behind each eye, occupying but a very narrow space at first, 
 and then suddenly widening into two broad four cornered 
 flaps. 
 
 The distribution of the white on the Primaries and the 
 colour of the bill and legs is as in the former species. The 
 bill, though preserving a similar structure, is twice the height. 
 This species is I believe found in all Malasia, though my 
 specimens were received only from Malacca. 
 
 3d. — The species to which I would retain Cuvier's name of 
 Indicus is intermediate between the first and second ; the bill 
 is rather larger than that of our Peninsular species, but the 
 wattles partake in form of both the former species ; in the 
 manner that they are placed below the eye, they resemble those 
 in G. religiosa, while from their not returning on to the 
 occiput, they bear some affinity to G. Javanus/ the black 
 
Imperfectly Described, Species of Birds. 
 
 15" 
 
 lateral bands hardly observed in G. religiosa, and so marked 
 in G. Java?ius, occur in this species only before and behind 
 the eye but not over it ; thus causing a hiatus which is re- 
 placed by the proper feathers of the head ; in size the G. 
 Javanusis the largest, and the Peninsular species the smallest, 
 while the only distinction in the general plumage of this 
 species, and which is perhaps merely the effect of age, is, that 
 the primaries and secondaries are edged with rusty brown, 
 thus almost forming a band across the wing. 
 
 I shall now add the dimensions of all three species. 
 
 The Peninsular Species. 
 G. Religiosa, Linne. 
 
 Total length 8^ 
 
 5A 
 
 Wing. 
 
 Tarsus 1 T ^ 
 
 1* 
 
 L T.'0 
 1 
 
 1* 
 
 Middle toe. 
 
 Hallux 
 
 Tail 
 
 Bill from base . . . 
 
 ,, from the 
 
 rictal angle 
 
 Malay Species. 
 G. Javanus, Cuvier. 
 
 10 
 
 D To 
 1 * 
 
 h\ 
 
 3 T B o 
 
 1A 
 
 Northern Indian Species. 
 G. Indicia. 
 
 9rV 
 
 1* 
 1* 
 
 9 
 
 TiT 
 
 3-rV 
 
 1A 
 
 It 3 * 
 
 1A 
 
 The difficulty attending the description of species so 
 apparently similar and yet differing so materially in parti- 
 culars, will I trust plead some excuse for any faultiness in the 
 above remarks ; should Cuvier's name of Indicus be found 
 to apply to our common species, or to the Malay bird, I would 
 propose that of intermedins for the species I have provision- 
 ally retained to G. Indicus. 
 
 The outline of the bill given in Swainson's synopsis agrees 
 with our Peninsular species, and is evidently meant to repre- 
 sent that of Linne's G. religiosa. 
 
 Ceblepyris Culminatus— New Species. 
 
 I received this species from Malacca, and it seems to differ 
 from any that have as yet been described. General cast of 
 the plumage iron-gray, uniform on the head, back of the neck 
 and black under parts, and upper tail coverts, lighter, speckled 
 and striated with white ; a black mark from the base of the 
 
158 Descriptions of some supposed Xeio, or 
 
 bill to the eye. Primaries slightly edged with white, second- 
 aries, more so ; under surface of the wings uniform hair brown 
 without white, two middle tail feathers cinerous brown, tipped 
 with white, — Bill moderate, not compressed, and high. Bill 
 and feet black. 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Total length... 6-^ inches. 'Tarsus "4 inches. 
 
 ^j" g :K* " I Bill from base... !■>" „ 
 
 1 H 1 1- . . Or';, ., 
 
 ru " ' „ gape... f„ „ 
 
 Musclcapa Bella— New Species. 
 
 General dorsal aspect cobalt blue, the head and shoul- 
 ders of a lighter and more brilliant tint ; the blue on the 
 back of the neck changing in some lights almost to violet > 
 chin, throat, checks, and breast dull blue-black ; lower part of 
 the breast, the belly, vent, and under tail coverts pure white ; 
 flanks dusky, wings hair brown beneath, under shoulder 
 coverts light blue ; spurious quill very short and dark with" 
 out any blue on the outer edge, all the primaries excepting 
 the first, edged with blue on the external webs of the feathers, 
 but not reaching to the tips of the three first, so that when 
 the wings are closed it appears blue, excepting at the ends. 
 
 The tail, which is moderate, has only the two middle feathers 
 wholly blue on the upper surface ; the remainder being so 
 on their outer webs ; the under surface of the tail is deep 
 black ; the bill and feet are black. In form the bill resembles 
 that of M. Ccerulea,Yiei\, though it is rather thicker and more 
 robust. From Hong-kong. 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Total length . . . 6^5 inches. I Middle toe T "- inches. 
 
 Wing Vo .. I Hallux ^j „ 
 
 Tail 2^5 „ I Bill from base. .. . T 4 j „ 
 
 Tarsus T fi „ „ 
 
 Phcenicornis? Aareojyygia — New Species. 
 This little bird does not strictly belong to the genus Phceni- 
 
Imperfectly Described, Species of Birds. 150 
 
 cornis, and it is with doubt therefore that I refer it to the 
 group ; the distribution of its colours show however a decid- 
 ed affinity to P. peregrinus, and in other respects it seems 
 nearly allied to it. 
 
 The plumage is of a silky texture,and puffy upon the rump, 
 where it is of a rich golden yellow, and of a lighter hue than 
 the feathers of the throat and upper part of the breast which 
 are deep orange ; the lower part of the breast and the belly 
 are rich lemon yellow; the flanks are dusky and the under 
 tail coverts and scapulars pure white ; an orange coloured 
 streak commences at the base of the upper mandible and 
 passes round the eye to thenars ; the remainder of the 
 plumage is dull black. From Hong-kong. 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Total length.... 4^ inches. I Tarsus -finches. 
 
 Wing 2 T V ,, Middle toe T \ 
 
 Tail 2 „ j Hallux T \ „ 
 
 Muscipeta alrocaudata, Eyton? 
 
 Cat. of Malay Birds, Pro. Zool. S. 
 
 A lovely species of Muscipeta now before me and shot near 
 Hong-kong, seems nearly to agree with Eyton's description of 
 the above named bird ; but as his description is very short, and 
 is taken from a Malay specimen, I take this opportunity of 
 fully describing my specimen, which is evidently an adult. 
 Head, cheeks, throat, breast and tail coal black without reflec- 
 tions ; belly and under tail coverts pure white ; flanks dusky ; 
 back, shoulder and wing coverts, deep glossy marroon purple, 
 inclining to black on the upper tail coverts. Primaries black ; 
 secondaries edged with the same colour as the back ; bill and 
 legs black, the head ornamented with a long black crest. As 
 there are some discrepancies between my specimen and Mr. 
 Eyton's short description, I add the latter. " Toto corpore 
 purpureo-atro, sed pectore imo abdumincquc alba/' 
 
160 Descriptions of some supposed New, or 
 
 It will be seen that the expression " toto corpore purpu- 
 reo-atro" does not altogether apply to my specimen, and as 
 mine is from Hong-kong, it may probably be anew species, 
 in which case I beg to propose the specific name of elegans. 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Wing 3/j inches. Body of tail 4 inches. 
 
 Tarsus f- a ,, 
 
 Hallux ^ „ 
 
 Middle toe A „ 
 
 Bill from gape. ... ( J± 
 base . 
 
 The two middle tail feathers exceed the body of the tail 
 by 7 inches and 7-10ths. 
 
 Genus Brachypus, Sw. Sub-Genus Hcematornis, Sw. 
 Hcematornis atricapilla, Vieil. Chinese Bulbul. 
 
 I received this interesting species from Amoy,and have no 
 doubts in referring it at once to Swainson's sub-genus Hce- 
 matornis, and as one of the most typical forms. 
 
 The head is black and sub crested ; the chin and base of 
 the lower mandible the same as the wings, which are of a 
 light hair brown, deepest upon the quills ; the tail and back 
 are of the same tints, the feathers of the back being deepest 
 in colour towards the shafts ; the lower end of the tail fea- 
 thers is the darkest ; all except the middle pair are broadly 
 tipped with white, most marked on the under side ; the 
 cheeks, throat, breast, belly, flanks, upper tail coverts, and 
 thigh coverts are of a uniform dirty white ; the under tail 
 coverts scarlet. 
 
 The bill is black, distinctly notched, and is strictly that 
 of a Hcematornis, at the gape there are but few bristles ; — the 
 wings are moderate, the first quill is very short, half the 
 length of second, the third, fourth, and fifth, are graduated, 
 the latter longest ; the legs are black and feathered below 
 the knees, the tarsus short and strong; — the anterior scales 
 simple, the lateral toes are equal, the middle toe is shorter 
 than the tarsus,- the claws are compressed and pointed, the 
 tail is more or less square, and consists of twelve feathers. 
 
Imperfectly Described, Species of Birds. 161 
 
 CaprimuJgus Pulcher — New Species. 
 The Beautiful Goat Sucker. 
 
 I received this splendid Goat Sucker from Malacca, and 
 having failed in finding a description at all approaching to it, 
 hesitate not in desciibing it as new. 
 
 Black and deep brown predominate throughout its plu- 
 mage, though markings of tawny yellow mingled with light 
 brown are perceived on the belly and breast; the usual white 
 mark on the throat is seen in this nightjar, but no other white 
 markings are to be found in its plumage : the head is of the 
 richest speckled brown, with a black streak down the middle ; 
 the chin and upper part of the breast are mottled richly with 
 black and brown, the breast is barred transversely with black 
 and rich fulvous, each feather being black at the base, then 
 fulvous, and then a slight edging of black. On the belly, 
 flanks, and under tail-coverts, light tawny predominates, the 
 black edgings being narrow ; the wing coverts are of the 
 same rich mottled brown seen on the head ; the primaries are 
 coal black, with rufous spots on their outer webs ; on the 
 second quill eight of these spots occur, as also upon the third. 
 On the under side of the wing the same spots are visible 
 though fainter ; the second quill is longest ; the tail is also 
 deep black slightly variegated with brown ; the tail surpasses 
 the wings by one inch and three-tenths. The bill is very 
 small, and the tarsus as in Caprimulgus. 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Total length 10 inches. 
 
 Wings from shoulder 8 ,, 
 
 Tail 5,'„ ,, 
 
 Muscicapa Pectoralis — New Species. 
 
 It is with doubt that I refer this lovely species to the res- 
 tricted genus Muscicapa, and yet its large size is perhaps the 
 only objection to its being so classed. 
 
 21 
 
162 Descriptions of some supposed New, or 
 
 Both the male and female birds were sent to me from Ma- 
 lacca, and after a diligent search amongst various Authors, 
 no mention can be found of them, and so I now describe them 
 as new. 
 
 The male and female birds agree in the general tone of the 
 plumage, which is of a dark indigo blue, the points of differ- 
 ence between them being the rich claret coloured breast, bh ck 
 throat, cheeks, superciliary stripe, and forehead, of the male ; 
 while in the female the whole plumage is uniform blue, 
 though perhaps darker on the throat and breast ; the dorsal 
 plumage is soft, long and puffy, and when ruffled shows white 
 at the base of the feathers, as do also the feathers on the 
 flanks ; the male bird is slightly larger than the female ; 
 the wings are moderate and slightly rounded, the fifth 
 quill is longest, the others graduated, the tail moderate and 
 even ; the tarsus is short and weak ; the inner toe is shorter 
 than the outer, and the inner and outer claws are remarkably 
 short. The bill is Musicapine, and resembles that of Chaptia 
 JEneuSy though more depressed ; the upper mandible is dis- 
 tinctly notched, and the rictal bristles are strong, and numer- 
 ous ; the bill only commences to be compressed near the 
 end ; the base of the bill is thickly set with short stiff 
 
 feathers. 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Total length 7 inches. 
 
 BUI I'roin base t J i ,, 
 
 Win?; from shoulder. 3ft inches. 
 
 Tail 3ft „ 
 
 Tarsus ft „ 
 
 Muscieapa Zanthopygia — New Species. 
 
 As this species seems to be undescribed, I add the follow- 
 ing description. 
 
 Head, cheeks, lesser shoulder coverts, back, and the upper 
 tail-coverts, olive green, rump saffron yellow. Chin, throat, 
 belly, flanks, and under tail-coverts light straw yellow, mixed 
 with olive on the breast and flanks, inclining almost to white 
 on the under tail-coverts— primaries and tail hair brown — 
 
Imperfectly Described, Species of Birds. 163 
 
 scapulars the same edged with white— secondaries tipped 
 with white — the upper mandible deep brown — the under 
 yellowish at the base— feet plumbeous, first quill spurious, 
 third and fourth nearly equal, third longest.* 
 
 The bill is intermediate between that of a Muscicapa and 
 Saxicola — the rictal bristles are few and weak — the tarsus ia 
 lengthened, and longer than the hallux — the middle toe is 
 long — the inner toe slightly shorter than the outer, the 
 claws are much curved. From Malacca. 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Total length 4 T S 7 inches, j Tail ... . . If- inch. 
 
 Bill from base. . . ^ ,, | Tarsus f- ,, 
 
 Wing from shoulder. 2 T 7 „ ,, j 
 
 Turdinus ? Supcrciliaris — New Species. 
 
 This remarkable bird from Malacca seems to me to be re- 
 ferable to the genus Turdinus, though with doubt. Two 
 specimens are now before me — one evidently the mature 
 male, the other either the female, or young. The former 
 has a distinct white superciliary stripe — the rump, upper tail- 
 coverts, and tail are bright rufous, the latter tipped with a 
 broad deep brown band; head, nape, back, chin, throat, and 
 breast, dark smoky black, deepest above; wings deep brown ; 
 abdomen, flanks, and under tail-coverts white washed with 
 rufous; bill black; legs pale yellow. Length 8£ inches, of 
 wing 4-fi,, of tail 4, tarsus 1, bill from gape, 1 T V, at 
 base ||. 
 
 The young bird differs in having its plumage above mixed 
 with rufous, in being smaller, and in wanting the superciliary 
 stripe. At first sight this curious bird gives one the idea of its 
 being a large phcenicura. It is, however, decidedly meruline 
 in form, and if separable from Turdinus, I would propose 
 
 • Since writing the above, I have seen the male of this species, in the collection of 
 Dr. Cantor at Calcutta. It differs from the female in being much more brilliant in it» 
 hues— being bright yellow where the female is dirty light yellow, and deep black where 
 the female is merely dusky, 
 
164 Meteoric Stone. 
 
 placing it ia a new genus to which I would give the name of 
 Turdirostris, and characterize it as follows : 
 
 Bill strong, high, slightly longer than the head, and much 
 compressed — gonys ascending, commissure almost straight — 
 culmen slightly curved — maxilla obsoletely notched, weakly 
 hooked— nares ovate, situated in a broad shallow groove, and 
 near the commissure, protected by thick-set, stiff feathers, 
 and bristles. Rictal bristles very strong and defending the 
 eye. Legs strong — tarsus moderately long, longer than the 
 hallux. Toes moderate, inner toe shorter than the outer, 
 middle toe equal to the tarsus, claws r moderately strong, that 
 of the middle toe bulged internally, of the hallux very 
 strong, curved and sharp. AVings moderate, almost pointed. 
 1st quill short, 2d shorter than the 3d, 5th and 6th equal and 
 longest. Tail long square, of 12 feathers. 
 
 NOTICES. 
 
 METEORIC STONE 
 
 A large meteoric stone fell at Voolapilly in the Mundapettah division 
 of the Rajahmundry district, on the 4th November, 1 844. 
 
 Mr. Bird, Collector of the District, kindly sent the depositions taken at 
 the time and reported to him, which in substance are as follows : 
 
 About 3 or 4 A. M. of the 4th November, a bright light was seen in the 
 heavens by a night watcher in one of the fields near this village, ac- 
 companied at first by a loud humming sound : the light rapidly increased 
 in intensity, and in a very few moments appeared to fall to the ground 
 with an explosion like that of a large gun. It appeared to the observer 
 to fall very close to him, and for some time he was so dazzled by the 
 intensity of the light, and stupified with alarm, that he was unable to 
 move. After a few minutes, he recovered, and endeavoured to find where 
 it had fallen, but in vain ; though he said it was so near as to have thrown 
 some mud and dirt on him. This, however, is easily accounted for, as the 
 field was under cultivation. He represented that the night was clear and 
 calm; he was standing looking eastward&t the time, and the Meteor ap- 
 peared to come from the South. He described its appearance as resem- 
 bling some native firework, and that the light, at first dull, afterwards 
 
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